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Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Low in U.S., Study Reveals
The percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes has dropped to 9.9% in 2024, marking the first time the rate has fallen to single digits, according to a groundbreaking new study published Tuesday in the journal NEJM Evidence.
This historic decline from 10.8% in 2023 represents a significant milestone in public health, suggesting the U.S. may be on track to meet or exceed the Healthy People 2030 goal of reducing adult smoking to 6.1% by the end of the decade.
“If this decline continues, the target might be met or exceeded by 2030,” noted researchers led by Israel Agaku, Ph.D., an Atlanta-based public health researcher and professor who spearheaded the study.
The analysis, which examined responses from more than 29,500 adults in 2023 and 32,600 adults in 2024 who participated in the National Health Interview Survey, provides the most recent comprehensive data on adult tobacco use in the United States.
Despite this positive trend, tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge. Approximately 25.2 million adults still smoke cigarettes, while nearly 47.7 million adults—representing 18.8% of the population—use at least one tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, or e-cigarettes.
The decline in cigarette smoking contributed to a broader reduction in combustible tobacco use, which includes cigarettes and cigars. About 12.6% of adults used combustible tobacco in 2024, down from 13.5% the previous year. However, the prevalence of other tobacco products, particularly e-cigarettes and cigars, did not significantly change between 2023 and 2024.
“The lack of change in cigar and e-cigarette use calls for intensified implementation of comprehensive tobacco control policies addressing all products,” the researchers emphasized in their findings.
The study highlighted notable disparities in tobacco use across demographic groups. Men reported significantly higher tobacco use than women, with just over 24% of men using at least one tobacco product compared to nearly 14% of women.
Tobacco use was particularly high among certain occupational sectors, with workers in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing showing elevated rates. The highest tobacco use was reported among people with a General Educational Development certificate at 42.8%, followed by rural residents, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities.
Age-related differences in tobacco product preferences were also apparent. Nearly 15% of adults ages 18 to 24 reported using e-cigarettes, compared with only 3.4% who smoked traditional cigarettes, indicating a generational shift in nicotine consumption patterns.
John Puls, a psychotherapist and addiction specialist who runs Full Life Comprehensive Care in Boca Raton, Florida, noted that this trend mirrors what he observes in clinical practice.
“Most of my patients use e-cigarettes and various vape products,” Puls told Fox News Digital. “They’re easier to conceal, can be used almost anywhere and deliver a much more powerful nicotine dose.”
Puls emphasized that cigarette smoking has become “more socially unacceptable than it has ever been” and pointed out a concerning trend: “I work with many patients who are addicted to nicotine, and the vast majority have never smoked a cigarette.”
This pattern is particularly prevalent among younger demographics who often perceive e-cigarettes as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, Puls warned that some vape products can contain 20 to 60 milligrams of nicotine, significantly more than the 1 to 2 milligrams typically delivered by cigarettes.
Health officials continue to stress that no tobacco product is safe, including e-cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States and is responsible for approximately one in three cancer deaths.
The researchers emphasized that sustained public health measures—including smoke-free laws, tobacco taxes, and accessible cessation support—remain essential to further reduce tobacco use across all segments of the population.
While the study provides valuable insights, the researchers acknowledged certain limitations, including changes to how smokeless tobacco has been defined over survey years, reliance on self-reported data, and less reliable estimates for smaller demographic subgroups.
As the United States approaches the Healthy People 2030 target, this historic decline in cigarette smoking represents a significant public health achievement, even as challenges persist in addressing other forms of tobacco use and nicotine addiction.
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11 Comments
This is a positive step, but the high number of remaining smokers underscores the need for continued investment in smoking cessation programs, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities that have historically higher smoking rates.
Absolutely. Ensuring equitable access to cessation resources and support will be key to driving down smoking rates further, especially among vulnerable populations.
This is great news, but the article notes that nearly 19% of the population still uses tobacco products. Continued vigilance and innovative approaches will be needed to reach the Healthy People 2030 goal of 6.1% adult smoking.
You’re right, the work is not done yet. Sustaining the momentum and reaching the 2030 target will require a sustained, multi-faceted effort.
This is a remarkable achievement in public health. Reducing smoking rates to single digits is a significant milestone that will have positive impacts on people’s health and wellbeing. It will be interesting to see if the trend continues and the 2030 target is met or exceeded.
Agreed, the decline in smoking is very encouraging. Continued education and awareness campaigns will be crucial to sustaining this progress.
While the single-digit smoking rate is certainly an accomplishment, there is still work to be done. Nearly 25 million adults still smoke, so ongoing efforts to provide cessation support and reduce tobacco access will be important.
That’s a good point. Even with this progress, smoking remains a significant public health challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach to tackle effectively.
The single-digit smoking rate is an impressive public health achievement, but as the article points out, there are still millions of Americans who smoke. Addressing the root causes and social determinants of tobacco use will be crucial going forward.
Kudos to the public health researchers and policymakers who have worked hard to drive down smoking rates in the U.S. However, the battle is not over, and ongoing vigilance will be required to maintain this progress and reach the 2030 goal.
The data showing this historic low in smoking rates is fascinating. I wonder what key factors have contributed to this decline over the past decade – increased taxes, advertising bans, smoking cessation programs? Understanding the drivers could help inform policies in other countries.