Consumption of Combustible and Smokeless Tobacco—United States, 2000-2015

MMWR Introduction

For the years 2000-2015, CDC estimated total and per capita consumption of combustible tobacco (cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, small cigars, and large cigars) and smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco and dry snuff) using consumption estimates based on tobacco excise tax data. During this period, total combustible tobacco consumption decreased 33.5%, or 43.7% per capita. Although total cigarette consumption decreased 38.7%, cigarettes remained the most commonly used combustible tobacco product. Total non-cigarette combustible tobacco (cigars, roll-your-own, and pipe tobacco) consumption increased 117.1%, or 83.8% per capita during 2000-2015. For smokeless tobacco, total consumption increased 23.1%, or 4.2% per capita.

Notably, total cigarette consumption was 267.0 billion cigarettes in 2015 compared to 262.7 billion in 2014. These findings indicate that although cigarette smoking declined overall during 2000-2015, and each year from 2000-2014, the number of cigarettes consumed in 2015 was higher than in 2014, the first time annual consumption was higher than the previous year since 1973. Moreover, the consumption of other combustible and smokeless tobacco products remains high. Implementation of proven tobacco prevention interventions are warranted to further reduce tobacco use in the United States.

MMWR Highlights

Total consumption of cigarettes, all combustible tobacco, non-cigarette combustible tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products—United States, 2000-2015

All Combustible

• Total consumption decreased 33.5% from 450.7 billion cigarette equivalents to 299.9 billion during 2000-2015.

Cigarettes

• Total consumption decreased 38.7% from 435.6 billion cigarettes to 267.0 billion during 2000-2015.

Non-Cigarette Combustible Tobacco

• Total consumption increased 117.1% from 15.2 billion cigarette equivalents to 32.9 billion during 2000-2015.
• Loose roll-your-own tobacco consumption decreased 70.0% from 6.0 billion cigarette equivalents to 1.8 billion during 2000-2015.
• Loose pipe tobacco consumption increased 556.4% from 3.0 billion cigarette equivalents to 19.7 billion during 2000-2015.
• Small cigar consumption decreased 75.6% from 2.3 billion cigarette equivalents to 556.0 million during 2000-2015.
• Large cigar consumption increased 179.6% from 3.9 billion cigarette equivalents to 10.9 billion during 2000-2015.

Smokeless Tobacco

• Total consumption increased 23.1% from 111.7 billion pounds to 137.6 billion pounds during 2000-2015.
• Chewing tobacco consumption decreased 55.8% from 45.6 billion pounds to 20.2 billion pounds during 2000-2015.
• Snuff consumption increased 77.5% from 66.2 billion pounds to 117.4 billion pounds during 2000-2015.

Adult per capita consumption of cigarettes, all combustible tobacco, non-cigarette combustible tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products—United States, 2000-2015

All Combustible

• Per capita consumption decreased 43.7% during 2000-2015.

Cigarettes

• Per capita consumption decreased 48.1% during 2000-2015.

Non-Cigarette Combustible Tobacco

• Per capita consumption increased 83.8% during 2000-2015.
• Loose roll-your-own tobacco per capita consumption decreased 74.6% during 2000-2015.
• Loose pipe tobacco per capita consumption increased 455.7% during 2000-2015.
• Small cigar per capita consumption decreased 79.3% during 2000-2015.
• Large cigar per capita consumption increased 136.8% during 2000-2015.

Smokeless Tobacco

• Per capita consumption increased 4.2% during 2000-2015.
• Chewing tobacco per capita consumption decreased 62.6% during 2000-2015.
• Snuff per capita consumption increased 50.3% during 2000-2015.