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)

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
2Firsts Data | China’s U.S. Vape Exports Have Yet to Regain Previous Growth Momentum in H1 2026, but Hardware Grew 15.2% and 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Rose 234.7%
China’s vape exports to the U.S. reached approximately $1.58 billion in the first half of 2026, remaining broadly stable from a year earlier but still below previous growth momentum. 2Firsts’ analysis of China Customs data shows that the U.S. market has not simply returned to its previous trajectory after the enforcement shock and inventory-driven swings of 2025. Instead, export momentum is shifting across product categories. Vaping devices and atomization hardware increased 15.2% year over year, while 6-methyl nicotine-related and other nicotine substitute products surged 234.7%. Meanwhile, traditional nicotine-containing vaping products continued to face pressure.
Jul.22
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Product | SKE Launches FRESA PRO in the U.S., Introducing Fresh Lock Technology for E-Liquid Management in High-Capacity Vapes
Shenzhen SKE Technology has launched the FRESA PRO in the United States, a high-capacity rechargeable disposable vape featuring Fresh Lock electromagnetic valve supply control technology. The device combines a claimed capacity of up to 40,000 puffs, dual mesh coils, dual output modes and a transparent tank design. The launch reflects the high-capacity disposable vape segment’s shift from puff-count competition toward improved e-liquid management and device-level experience.
Aug.03
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
UK HMRC Plans 30,000 Retail Enforcement Actions as Illegal Tobacco and Vape Sellers Face Tougher Crackdown
The UK government has announced that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will carry out more than 30,000 interventions targeting businesses and retail premises during the 2026-2027 financial year. The actions will focus on tax fraud, illegal goods sales and businesses involved in unlawful activities through retail channels. The government said illegal tobacco and illegal vape sales remain areas of concern. The move shows that UK enforcement against illegal nicotine products is expanding from import and supply channels toward retail-level oversight, alongside the upcoming introduction of the Vaping Products Duty.
Jul.24
PMI Q2 Call: ZYN Growth, IQOS Pricing and a Diverging Global Tobacco Market
PMI Q2 Call: ZYN Growth, IQOS Pricing and a Diverging Global Tobacco Market
Philip Morris International’s second-quarter earnings call offered new detail on its smoke-free strategy. Management said it would increase U.S. investment behind nicotine pouch brand ZYN, keep IQOS focused on volume before stronger pricing, and use SENTIA, DELIA, LEVIA, VEEV and ZYN to manage tax and regulatory pressure across Japan and Europe. Analysts from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, UBS and other firms also pressed PMI on profitability, market share, cigarette resilience and the durability of its global transformation over coming quarters.
Jul.24
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.
Aug.14