The Boltzmann equation is used to derive the expression for the current in ionized gases at low density in an axially symmetric nonuniform field. The gas is assumed to be in a steady state and collisionless. Using this method, the usual expression for the total drift current is obtained without the necessity of using first‐order orbit theory. When the integration is made over the whole region of charged particles, the diamagnetic terms clearly will not contribute to the total current.