People Living With HIV
Know the Facts
Smoking rates among persons living with HIV, which is the virus that can cause AIDS, are much higher than among persons without HIV.
- In 2014, among adults with HIV, 37.9% were current cigarette smokers.*
- People living with HIV are also less likely to quit smoking than the general population.†
If you have HIV, smoking cigarettes is especially dangerous to your health. If you smoke:
- You’re more likely to develop the harmful consequences of smoking than people without HIV. These illnesses include cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
- You’re more likely to develop HIV-related infections than a nonsmoker with HIV. These illnesses include thrush (a mouth infection) and Pneumocystis pneumonia (a lung infection).
- For people whose HIV is effectively treated, smoking cigarettes is the main contributor to preventable risk of illness 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 Living With HIV Featured in Tips®
Learn the real stories of people living with HIV who have diseases and disabilities related to smoking.
Meet Brian I. Brian, age 45, lives in California and has HIV. At 14, he started smoking. At 43, smoking, combined with HIV, caused him to have a stroke. He quit that day and hopes to regain full use of his right hand.
Learn more about all Tips participants in our Real Stories section.
Quitting Help
To get started right now, see our How to Quit Smoking area featuring a Quit Guide website and an additional Quitting Resources page.
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.
*Trends in cigarette smoking among adults with HIV compared with the general adult population, United States – 2009–2014external icon, Preventative Medicine, 2018.
†Behavioral and Clinical Characteristics of Persons Receiving Medical Care for HIV Infection — Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2014.
Brian overcame tough health problems related to HIV, but nearly lost his life because of smoking cigarettes.
“Smoking is something that you do have control over. You can stop. And it’s worth your life to stop smoking.”
