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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


Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States,2 accounting for approximately 443,000 deaths or 1 of every 5 deaths in the United States each year.3,4

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

Adults
West Virginia 26.6%
Indiana 26.1%
Kentucky 25.3%
Men
Indiana 28.5%
Missouri 27.3%
Tennessee 26.7%
Women
West Virginia 27.1%
Kentucky 24.3%
Indiana 23.9%

 

 

 

 


Current smoking prevalence was lowest in the following states:5

Adults
Utah 9.2%
California 14.0%
New Jersey 14.8%
Men
Utah 10.6%
Maryland 16.1%
Massachusetts 16.9%
Women
Utah 7.9%
California 10.3%
New Jersey 12.4%

 

 

 

 


*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


Note: These data are periodically updated on the following CDC Web sites:

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 Exit Notification/Disclaimer Policy
    (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.

 

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