CDC report shows decrease in US tobacco product use

Mar.23.2022
CDC report shows decrease in US tobacco product use
CDC's survey showed a decrease in overall tobacco product usage among American adults, but 19% still use some form of tobacco.

According to foreign media on March 17, 2022, report that...

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the findings of their weekly report on incidence and mortality rates today, revealing an overall decrease in the use of commercial tobacco products, combustible tobacco products, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and two or more tobacco products among U.S. adults from 2019 to 2020. However, as of 2020, nearly one-fifth of adults (estimated 47.1 million) reported current (daily or some days) tobacco product use, including 30.8 million smokers.

 

In order to assess recent estimates of tobacco product use among adult Americans aged 18 and over, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey. The survey evaluated the use of five tobacco products: cigarettes, cigars (cigars, small cigars, or filtered little cigars), pipes (regular pipes, water pipes, or hookahs), electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco.

 

A recent study has found that by 2020, 19.0% of American adults will have used at least one tobacco product, which is slightly lower than the 20.8% reported in 2019. Despite this decrease, cigarettes remain the most commonly used product at 12.5%, followed by e-cigarettes at 3.7%, cigars at 3.5%, smokeless tobacco at 2.3%, and pipes at 1.1%.

 

We have made significant progress in preventing and reducing tobacco use in this country through the use of validated strategies and implementation of effective policies," said Dr. Karen Hacker, director of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. "Although adult tobacco use has dramatically decreased, our work is far from over. We must continue to address tobacco-related health disparities and inequities to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

 

Despite a decrease, the usage of combustible products remains high.

 

A new study reveals that smoking rates among adults have dropped to their lowest point since 1965, when it was 42%. While the percentage of adults who smoke has decreased from 14.0% in 2019 to 12.5% in 2020, nearly 31 million American adults still reported smoking in 2020. Among adults who currently use tobacco products, over three-quarters use combustible products like cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, which are the leading cause of tobacco-related illness, disability, and death in the United States.

 

In the United States, between 2019 and 2020, there was a decrease in the percentage of adults using other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, which went from 4.5% to 3.7%. The use of combustible tobacco products also decreased from 16.7% to 15.2%. Additionally, the percentage of people using two or more tobacco products also decreased from 3.9% to 3.3%.

 

Factors that may contribute to a decline in smoking and tobacco use include influential anti-tobacco media campaigns such as the CDC's "Tips From Former Smokers," smoke-free policies, and policies that restrict the supply of specific types of tobacco products, such as flavored products.

 

Differences in the use of tobacco products

 

By 2020, significant differences still exist in the use of tobacco products among various adult population groups in the United States. These groups include:

 

Men (5%).

 

Nine percent of adults aged 25 to 44 years old.

 

34.9% of adult non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native individuals and 1% of adult non-Hispanic individuals are classified as belonging to other races.

 

Three percent of adults live in rural (non-urban) areas.

 

The highest level of education attained by adults is a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, which accounts for 40.5%.

 

25.2% of adults have a household annual income less than $35,000.

 

Adults who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (1%).

 

27.3% of adults do not have health insurance, while 6% rely on Medicaid or other forms of subsidized health insurance.

 

Four percent of adults have disabilities.

 

Nearly 30% of adults experience anxiety and 6% experience depression on a regular basis.

 

(Source: Center for Disease Control)

 

This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

2Firsts Special Report|China’s Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Goes Global: A Supply Chain Reshaped and Redirected
2Firsts Special Report|China’s Nicotine Pouch Manufacturing Goes Global: A Supply Chain Reshaped and Redirected
China’s nicotine pouch manufacturing expanded rapidly in 2024 but cooled sharply in 2025. Meanwhile, global demand continued to grow strongly, with multinational tobacco companies increasing investment, prompting some Chinese manufacturers to accelerate the shift of production to Southeast Asia and Europe.
Nov.21
South Korea’s Parliament Reconsiders Bill to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco
South Korea’s Parliament Reconsiders Bill to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco
South Korea’s National Assembly is once again reviewing a bill to classify synthetic nicotine as a tobacco product under the Tobacco Business Act. The proposal aims to close regulatory loopholes that allow untaxed, unregulated nicotine liquids — often used by minors — to circulate freely. Lawmakers expect the bill to pass during the current session amid growing public and civic pressure.
Nov.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Report Says Teen e-cigarette use on the rise, with majority of sales coming from disposable products
Report Says Teen e-cigarette use on the rise, with majority of sales coming from disposable products
Monitoring a Changing Tobacco Product Market in the United States is the second annual review from the Monitoring Tobacco Product Use project, analyzing retail scanner data from January 2019 to December 2024 and TEEN+ survey data.
Jan.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
New Zealand Survey Finds Adult Daily Vaping Prevalence at 11.7%, Concentrated Among Youth and Disadvantaged Groups)
A survey report released by the Public Health Communication Centre Aotearoa shows that despite New Zealand implementing stricter vaping regulations in 2025, including a ban on disposable products and tighter flavour restrictions, daily vaping rates continue to rise. The research body urges close monitoring of behavioural changes following the new rules coming into force.
Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
After Export Tax Rebates Go to Zero: How China’s E-Cigarette Supply Chain Is Being Reshaped, According to 2Firsts Research
China’s e-cigarette industry is adjusting to a major policy shift. From April 1, 2026, China will scrap the 13% export VAT rebate on e-cigarette products, a move affecting manufacturers centered in Shenzhen. Industry participants told 2Firsts the change is forcing a reassessment of pricing and capacity, with competition shifting toward cash flow resilience, regulatory compliance, and multi-location strategies.
Industry Insight
Jan.16
French Council of State Strikes Down Total Vape Ban in French Polynesia
French Council of State Strikes Down Total Vape Ban in French Polynesia
France’s highest administrative court, the Council of State, has ruled that Article 76 of French Polynesia’s tobacco law establishing a total ban on vaping products is illegal. The provision, adopted in August and due to take effect by 2027, was successfully challenged by local importers and distributors.
Dec.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai