Smoking Rates Among U.S. Adults Reach an All-Time Low
In a recent study, the percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes has hit its lowest point ever, a significant milestone in public health efforts. According to an analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey, only 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, down from 10.8% in 2023. This marks the first time the adult smoking rate has fallen into single digits.
Experts believe this steady decline brings the country closer to its Healthy People 2030 goal of reducing smoking rates to just 6.1%. The researchers, led by public health expert Israel Agaku, are optimistic. “If this trend continues, we could meet or even surpass that target by 2030,” they explained.
Despite this encouraging trend, tobacco use is far from gone. Approximately 25.2 million adults still smoke, and nearly 47.7 million, or around 18.8% of the population, use some form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes and cigars.
The study gathered responses from over 29,500 adults in 2023 and about 32,600 in 2024, providing the latest national data on tobacco use. In 2024, the overall use of combustible tobacco — which includes both cigarettes and cigars — dropped to about 12.6%, down from 13.5% the previous year.
Interestingly, while cigarette use has decreased, the rates of other tobacco products, like e-cigarettes, have remained steady. The researchers indicated the need for stronger tobacco control policies to tackle all tobacco products effectively.
Tobacco use varies among different groups. Men reported significantly higher usage at around 24%, compared to nearly 14% for women. Certain occupations, such as those in agriculture and construction, also showed higher rates of tobacco use, with 42.8% of adults holding a general educational development certificate reporting tobacco usage.
Young adults are increasingly turning to e-cigarettes, with nearly 15% of those aged 18 to 24 using them, compared to just 3.4% who smoke traditional cigarettes. This shift indicates a change in the way people are using nicotine, rather than a decrease in addiction itself.
John Puls, a psychotherapist specializing in addiction, noted that many of his patients prefer e-cigarettes and vaping products for their convenience and higher nicotine delivery. He pointed out that the stigma around smoking cigarettes is now much stricter, leading many to seek alternatives.
Health officials emphasize that no tobacco product is safe. According to the CDC, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the U.S., linked to about one in three cancer deaths.
Overall, maintaining public health efforts, such as smoke-free laws and access to quitting support, is crucial for further reducing tobacco use. The researchers acknowledged some limitations in the study but remain hopeful about continuing improvements in public health.
