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.


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.

BAT Taps McLaren Title Win for Travel Retail Activation, Launches VELO “Champions’ Edition” Nicotine Pouches
BAT Taps McLaren Title Win for Travel Retail Activation, Launches VELO “Champions’ Edition” Nicotine Pouches
British American Tobacco (BAT) is leveraging McLaren F1 Team’s 2025 Constructors’ Championship win to roll out a VELO×McLaren brand activation across the travel retail market. The campaign spans major airports in Abu Dhabi, the UK, Ireland and Spain, alongside the launch of a VELO “Champions’ Edition” product.
Dec.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Interview | Bengt Wiberg: Why the Oral Health Risks of Nicotine Pouches Merit Further Study
2Firsts Interview | Bengt Wiberg: Why the Oral Health Risks of Nicotine Pouches Merit Further Study
As nicotine pouches gain global traction as a lower-risk alternative to smoking, questions are emerging about their potential oral health effects. In a 2Firsts interview, Stingfree AB founder Bengt Wiberg discusses why gum irritation and oral lesions warrant closer scrutiny within the broader framework of tobacco harm reduction.
Jan.06
Two Taunton Shops Closed After Seizure of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes
Two Taunton Shops Closed After Seizure of Illegal Tobacco and Vapes
Two shops in Taunton have been ordered to close for three months after authorities found illegal tobacco and vape products worth around £50,000. The seizures followed joint operations involving Trading Standards officers, police and tobacco detection dogs. Magistrates ruled that closing the premises was necessary to prevent further criminal activity.
Dec.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wales Passes Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Anyone Born After 2009
Wales Passes Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Anyone Born After 2009
The Welsh Parliament (Senedd) has approved new legislation banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The law, passed on December 9, 2025, also imposes stricter controls on how vapes and nicotine products are advertised and sold. Designed by the UK Government but voted on separately in Wales, the bill passed with 36 votes in favor, two abstentions, and nine against. It grants stronger enforcement powers to Trading Standards to combat illegal tobacco and vape sales.
Dec.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Singapore HSA bust links two vape warehouses; Malaysian man jailed 41 weeks
Singapore HSA bust links two vape warehouses; Malaysian man jailed 41 weeks
HSA officers in Singapore staked out a Bishan warehouse after a tip-off and found a Malaysian man in a site containing thousands of vaporisers and components. Checks on his phone led to a second warehouse in Ubi with large quantities of devices and parts.
Jan.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Wisconsin Fines Vape Retailers Nearly $13 Million for Selling Unapproved Products
Wisconsin Fines Vape Retailers Nearly $13 Million for Selling Unapproved Products
The state of Wisconsin has fined one retailer nearly USD 12.44 million and another USD 450,000 for violating the state’s new vape sales law, which took effect in September and restricts sales to an approved list of products.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai