Adult Cigarette Smoking in the United States: Current Estimate

Overview

An estimated 46 million people or 20.6% of all adults (aged 18 years and older) in the United States currently* smoke cigarettes.¹ Cigarette smoking is more common among men (23.1%) than women (18.3%).¹

National Estimates*

Current* Smokers¹

By Age

• 21.4% of adults aged 18–24 years
• 23.7% of adults aged 25–44 years
• 22.6% of adults aged 45–64 years
• 9.3%   of adults aged 65 years and older

By Race/Ethnicity

• 21.3% of Blacks (non-Hispanic)
• 32.4% of American Indians/Alaska Natives
• 9.9%   of Asians**
• 15.8% of Hispanics
• 22.0% of Whites (non-Hispanic)

By Education

• 41.3% of adults with a GED diploma
• 35.7% of adults with 9–11 years of education
• 10.6% of adults with an undergraduate college degree
• 5.7%   of adults with a graduate college degree

By Poverty Status^†

• 31.5% of adults who live below the poverty level
• 19.6% of adults who live at or above the poverty level

State Estimates*

Current smoking prevalence was highest in the following states:⁵

 

 

 

 

Current smoking prevalence was lowest in the following states:⁵

 

 

 

 

*Current smokers are defined as persons who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime and who, at the time of interview, reported smoking every day or some days.

**Excluding Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders

†Based on 2007 poverty thresholds published by the U.S. Census Bureau

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette Smoking Among Adults and Trends in Smoking Cessation—United States, 2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2009;58(44):1227–1232 [accessed 2009 Nov 16].
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost, and Economic Costs—United States, 1995–1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51(14):300–303 [accessed 2009 Aug 18].
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State-Specific Smoking-Attributable Mortality and Years of Potential Life Lost—United States, 2000–2004. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2009;58(02):29–33 [accessed 2009 Aug 18].
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health, United States, 2008
   (PDF–8.24 MB). Hyattsville (MD): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 2009 [accessed 2009 Aug 18].
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State-Specific Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2009;58(44):1232–1235 [accessed 2009 Nov 16].

For Further Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO

Media Inquiries: Contact CDC's Office on Smoking and Health press line at 770-488-5493.