High Smoking Rates & Related Deaths in the US

Sep.06.2022
High smoking rates lead to addiction and health risks. Despite this, 22.3% of the global population still uses tobacco products.

A significant portion of the world's population are smokers. In fact, according to the World Health Organization's data, 22.3% of the global population use tobacco products. The main reason people smoke is to reduce stress, but it comes with the risk of addiction. This is because tobacco contains a chemical substance called nicotine, which creates a sense of relaxation when ingested.


Tobacco is one of the leading causes of death, with over 8 million deaths worldwide each year being attributed to tobacco use. It also increases the risk of various health issues such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease.


NiceRx has conducted a study on the countries and states with the highest smoking rates and the most deaths related to smoking in the year 2022.


The state with the highest smoking rate in the United States.


West Virginia state.


Smoking Rate in 2022: 23.8%


West Virginia, located in the southeastern region of the United States, is one of the smallest states with a population just exceeding 1.79 million, making it the twelfth least populous state. However, despite its small size, it has the highest smoking rate in the country, with a rate of 23.8%.


The smoking rate in Kentucky is projected to be 23.6% in 2022.


Kentucky borders West Virginia and is located in the southeastern United States. As of 2020, its population exceeded 4.5 million. Its smoking rate is comparable to West Virginia's, being only 0.2% lower.


Louisiana State


Smoking rate in 2022: 21.9%.


Louisiana, located in the southern region of the United States, is the 25th most populous state with a population of 4.65 million. As of 2022, Louisiana has a smoking rate of 21.9%, which is the third highest in the country.


Ohio State


Smoking rate in 2022: 20.8%


The Midwestern state of Ohio is the seventh most populous state in the United States, with a population just slightly below 11.8 million. As of 2022, Ohio has a smoking rate of 20.8% among its population, with over 2.4 million smokers.


Mississippi state


In 2022, the smoking rate in Mississippi, a state located in the southeastern region of the United States with a population of approximately 2.96 million and the lowest per capita income, ranks as the fifth highest in the country at 20.4%. This rate is almost three times that of Hawaii, which has one of the lowest smoking rates.


The state with the highest number of smoking-related deaths in the United States.


West Virginia.


Every year, 241 people die from smoking per 100,000 people.


West Virginia has the highest smoking rate in the United States, so it's not surprising that it also ranks highest in smoking-related deaths. This southeastern state reports 241 smoking-related deaths per 100,000 people annually.


In Kentucky, 197 people die annually from smoking per 100,000 individuals.


Despite West Virginia experiencing a population increase of over double, Kentucky comes in as a close second. High smoking rates often lead to an increased occurrence of smoking-related health issues. This has even resulted in the state seeing 197 deaths per 100,000 people annually.


Arkansas


192 people die each year from smoking per 100,000 individuals.


As the third largest state in the southern United States, Arkansas ranked sixth in smoking rates across the country in 2022. The state sees 192 smoking-related deaths per 100,000 residents each year, just slightly lower than Kentucky.


Oklahoma state.


188 people per 100,000 die every year due to smoking.


Oklahoma, located in the southern region of the United States and sharing its eastern border with Arkansas, has a smoking rate of 18.9% in 2022, ranking just outside the top ten highest smoking states. Despite this, the state still sees 188 smoking-related deaths per 100,000 people annually. Nevertheless, Oklahoma has been gradually tightening smoking laws, especially those targeting youth smoking.


5. Mississippi State


183 people die each year from smoking per 100,000 individuals.


To compile this data, NiceRX utilized the national rankings from the "World Population Review" and the state rankings from the "US World Population Review.


Statement


This article is compiled from information provided by a third party and is intended solely for the purpose of industry communication and learning.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of its content. The translation of this article is solely for industry exchange and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the translator's proficiency, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


2FIRSTS is fully aligned with the Chinese government in regards to any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign related statements and positions.


The copyright of compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.



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.

Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
Altria’s USSTC Starts $250 Million Kentucky Expansion, Adding More Than 200 Jobs
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, an Altria Group company, has broken ground on an approximately $250 million manufacturing expansion in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The roughly 270,000-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 200 jobs and absorb processing, manufacturing and packaging operations currently split between Hopkinsville and Nashville, Tennessee. USSTC previously said production at its Nashville facility is expected to wind down by early 2028. The project forms part of Altria’s broader effort to modernize and consolidate its U.S. smokeless tobacco manufacturing network.
Sep.10
Smoore Seeks to Toss CCELL Price-Fixing Claim as Court Weighs Vertical Distribution Versus Horizontal Conspiracy
Smoore Seeks to Toss CCELL Price-Fixing Claim as Court Weighs Vertical Distribution Versus Horizontal Conspiracy
Smoore and four authorized U.S. CCELL distributors are asking a California federal court to permanently dismiss a core antitrust claim brought by direct purchasers. Plaintiffs allege that Smoore coordinated minimum wholesale prices, customer allocation and limits on price competition among distributors, amounting to a per se unlawful horizontal conspiracy. The defendants say the alleged conduct reflects ordinary vertical relationships between a manufacturer and its distributors. The court previously dismissed a similar claim, and the latest dispute centers on whether the second amended complaint adds sufficient facts to establish a horizontal agreement.
Sep.14
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
German Customs Seize 115,800 Vapes in €1.4 Million Tax Case
Germany's Magdeburg Main Customs Office seized 115,800 untaxed e-cigarettes containing a combined 4.366 million mL of e-liquid during four truck inspections between August 10 and September 4, 2026. The seizures prevented an estimated €1.397 million in tax losses and set a record for the customs office's jurisdiction. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against four truck drivers. The case follows a separate German investigation involving more than 7.6 million illicit vapes and an estimated €33.3 million in excise-tax losses.
Enforcement
Oct.13
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the PMTA pathway is “predicated on tobacco harm reduction.” He outlined four CTP priorities: youth prevention, helping adults quit or switch to lower-risk products, improving relative-risk communication, and reducing unauthorized products. Koplow also addressed flavored e-cigarettes, public risk perceptions, industry credibility and efforts to make PMTA reviews more efficient and predictable.
Sep.26
Altria Showcases Ploom, Marlboro Heated Tobacco Sticks and Non-Nicotine Energy Products at NACS Show 2026
Altria Showcases Ploom, Marlboro Heated Tobacco Sticks and Non-Nicotine Energy Products at NACS Show 2026
At the 2026 NACS Show, Altria displayed Ploom devices alongside imagery of Marlboro-branded heated tobacco sticks, while also featuring RIOT Energy and Proper Wild non-nicotine products. The booth showcased on! PLUS nicotine pouches, including 12 mg variants not listed among FDA-authorized products as of October 9, and NJOY e-cigarettes. Altria also presented convenience-store traffic figures highlighting its retail presence. 2Firsts examines the company's expanded product portfolio, non-nicotine business activities and the regulatory status of products displayed at the show.
EXPO
Oct.10
Imperial Brands Acquires Helwit Owner Yoik Group for SEK 515 Million, More Than Doubling Swedish Nicotine Pouch Share
Imperial Brands Acquires Helwit Owner Yoik Group for SEK 515 Million, More Than Doubling Swedish Nicotine Pouch Share
Imperial Brands has agreed to acquire 100% of Swedish modern oral nicotine company Yoik Group AB for an initial SEK515 million, equivalent to about US$53.9 million, plus a deferred payment linked to performance over the next two years. Yoik owns nicotine pouch brand Helwit, which held about 3.4% of Sweden’s modern oral nicotine market over the past 12 months. Imperial says the acquisition will more than double its existing share of the Swedish market. Helwit is also sold elsewhere in the Nordics, through European online channels and in selected UK retail outlets.
Sep.08