Adults with Disabilities
Know the Facts
In the United States, 1 in 4 (an estimated 61.4 million) adults have a functional disability, meaning that they reported having serious difficulty with hearing, vision, cognition, mobility, self-care, and/or independent living.*
Adults with disabilities are more likely to smoke cigarettes than those without disabilities.
- About 1 in 5 (19.2%) adults with disabilities smokes cigarettes in the U.S. compared with 13.1% of adults without disabilities.†
If you smoke, you are at increased risk for a smoking-related illness and death. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death.
Studies show that providing access to quit-smoking programs can reduce rates of tobacco smoking and tobacco-related diseases and death.
For More Information
Learn what percent of people currently smoke cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific populations.
Real Stories: People Featured in Tips®
Learn more about all Tips participants, including stories from people living with disabilities who quit smoking, in our Real Stories section.
Quitting Help
To get started right now, see our How to Quit Smoking area featuring a Quit Guide.
Get free help to quit smoking by calling a quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitline coaches can answer questions, help you develop a quit plan, and provide support.
Quit-smoking treatments may be free or reduced in price through insurance, health plans, or clinics.
State Medicaid programs cover quit-smoking treatments. While the coverage varies by state, all states cover some treatments for at least some Medicaid enrollees.
Medicare currently covers two quit attempts per year and up to four face-to-face counseling sessions per attempt.
These additional resources from CDC are available for adults living with disabilities:
*Prevalence of Disabilities and Health Care Access by Disability Status and Type Among Adults — United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018.
