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.

Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
Research | Swedish Study Finds Oral Lesions in 79% of Examined Nicotine Pouch Users, With Distinct Tissue Responses
A new Swedish study found oral mucosal lesions in 79% of examined nicotine pouch users and 89% of tobacco-derived snus users, with different tissue-response patterns between the two categories. For manufacturers and regulators, the findings shift attention toward product formulation, flavouring, pouch materials and local oral exposure, not only whether a product contains tobacco. The study found no higher prevalence of caries or periodontal disease, but it could not establish causality, long-term outcomes or differences between individual products or designs.
Special Report
Jul.27
Italy and Greece Oppose Ireland’s Nicotine Product Bill, Raising EU Regulatory Concerns
Italy and Greece Oppose Ireland’s Nicotine Product Bill, Raising EU Regulatory Concerns
Italy and Greece have opposed Ireland’s proposed nicotine product regulations, arguing that the measures could affect EU market coordination and the free movement of products. Ireland plans to introduce stricter rules covering nicotine products including vapes and nicotine pouches, with measures involving packaging, marketing and sales controls. The dispute highlights differences among EU member states between stronger public health protections and maintaining regulatory consistency within the bloc’s single market.
Jul.29
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Q4 Revenue Rebounds 33% but Full-Year Sales Still Fall 25% as FY2027 Focus Shifts to Malaysia Manufacturing, ODM, Nicotine Pouches and Age Verification
Ispire Technology reported FY2026 revenue of about $96 million, down 24.7% year over year, as U.S. cannabis-vapor hardware and European e-cigarette sales declined by $17.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 32.5% to $26.7 million, while quarterly gross margin fell to 6.3%. For FY2027, the company is prioritizing Malaysia manufacturing and vapor ODM while continuing to develop nicotine pouches, IKE Tech age-verification technology and G-Mesh licensing. Ispire has not separately disclosed the revenue or profit contribution of those newer businesses.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada Considers Easing Pharmacy-Only Nicotine Pouch Sales Rules, Potentially Reopening Convenience Store Channel
Canada's federal government is considering changes to current restrictions on where nicotine pouches can be sold, potentially allowing authorized products to return to convenience stores and other general retail channels, although no decision has been made. Since 2024, emerging nicotine replacement therapy products such as nicotine pouches have been largely restricted to behind-the-counter pharmacy sales. Health Canada, meanwhile, continues to recall unauthorized and higher-strength nicotine pouches, indicating that the current discussion concerns retail access for authorized products rather than a broad relaxation of nicotine pouch regulation.
Sep.14
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia Adds Vapes to “Strategic Goods” List, Illegal Cross-Border Trade Faces Up to Five Years in Prison
Russia will place e-cigarettes and related nicotine products under its “strategic goods” framework from August 20, 2026. According to TVP World’s report published on August 19, the newly listed items include e-cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, vape liquids and nicotine salts. Individuals who illegally move these products across Russia’s customs border or its state border with other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) members could face up to five years in prison if shipment values exceed 100,000 rubles (about €1,000), provided all elements of a criminal offence are established.
Aug.20
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
BAT’s Velo Study Finds 61% of Nicotine Users Feel More Comfortable Expressing Themselves When Others Do the Same
British American Tobacco’s (BAT) nicotine pouch brand Velo has released a global consumer study and launched its “Echoes of Tomorrowland” campaign with electronic music festival brand Tomorrowland. The research surveyed 2,009 nicotine users across the UK, Spain, Pakistan, Poland and Austria. Velo said 61% of respondents feel more comfortable expressing themselves when they see others doing the same, while 39% said building meaningful connections becomes harder with age. The campaign reflects how nicotine pouch brands are increasingly using music, communities and lifestyle marketing to build consumer engagement.
Aug.10