Smoking in the U.S. has increased due to stresses associated with rising unemployment rates, weakening retirement funds, and an overall, slowing economy, according to a new survey.

Reuters reported Nov. 10 that the American Legacy Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based anti-smoking advocacy group, hired Harris Interactive to survey 2,375 Americans ages 18 and older about their smoking behaviors as related to the economy.

Economic stress seems to be affecting lower-income smokers (those with household incomes at $35,000 or less) and unemployed smokers the most. The survey found that more lower-income smokers said they smoked more cigarettes per day than employed smokers, and 29 percent of unemployed smokers reported increases in smoking compared to 17 percent of employed smokers.

The survey also showed that 31 percent of female smokers reported that they smoked because of economy-related worries, compared to 17 percent of men.

Anxiety related to economic troubles drove 7 percent of current smokers to begin smoking again, the survey showed, while 9 percent of previous smokers said they were tempted to resume smoking.

One-fifth of smokers who said they were stressed about the economy said they switched to a cheaper brand in an effort to save money.

"The turbulent global stock markets have caused virtually every American a certain level of stress," said American Legacy Foundation CEO Cheryl Healton. "Those who also struggle with an addiction to tobacco products are at an increased disadvantage as they contemplate quitting, or feel the urge to smoke more cigarettes."