For Specific Groups: Hispanics / Latinos
Know the Facts
Cigarette smoking increases your risk for heart disease and cancer, which are the leading causes of death for Hispanics/Latinos in the United States.
Overall, about 1 in 10 adults with an Hispanic or Latino heritage smokes cigarettes (10.7%).
Among Hispanics/Latinos, smoking is more common in men than women.
- About 1 in every 7 men smokes cigarettes (14.5%).
- About 1 in every 14 women smokes cigarettes (7.0%)
*Source for cigarette smoking prevalence: Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018.
For More Information
- Detailed Statistics Learn about smoking among specific populations and the current rates of cigarette smoking in the United States.
Real Stories: Hispanics/Latinos Featured in Tips®
Meet Beatrice. Beatrice, age 40, lives in New York and began smoking regularly at age 13. A mother of two, she quit smoking in 2010 because she wanted to be around for her family.
Meet Felicita. Felicita, age 54, lives in Florida and began smoking at age 12. She didn’t know smoking could harm her gums and teeth. She lost all her teeth by age 50.
Meet Mariano. Mariano, 55, lives in Illinois. He started smoking at 15. In 2004, he had open heart surgery and barely escaped having a heart attack. He quit smoking — grateful for a second chance at life.
Meet Rose. Rose lived in Texas and began smoking at age 13. She developed lung cancer that later spread to her brain. After many, many treatments, Rose died in January 2015. She was 60.
Learn more about all Tips participants in our Real Stories section.
Quitting Help
For quitting resources in Spanish, please see ¡Estoy listo para dejar de fumar! —the quitting area on our Tips Spanish site, Consejos de exfumadores.
To get started right now, see our How to Quit Smoking area featuring a Quit Guide website and an additional Quitting Resources page.
You can call 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.
Felicita smoked and lost all her teeth by age 50. She didn’t know that smoking could harm her gums and teeth.
“I feel ashamed of myself, really. I feel like I destroyed my health and my appearance with cigarettes.”
