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.

Product | DOJO Launches BLAST10K Fresh in UK With 0+10ml E-Liquid Structure, Retaining 2+8ml Pod Compatibility
Product | DOJO Launches BLAST10K Fresh in UK With 0+10ml E-Liquid Structure, Retaining 2+8ml Pod Compatibility
DOJO launched the BLAST10K Fresh in the UK on September 4, 2026, introducing its INSTA-JUICED™ technology and a new 0+10ml structure that keeps e-liquid separated from the coil before activation. The device features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery, COREX BLAST dual-mesh technology and SSS leak-resistant technology, with a manufacturer-rated capacity of up to 10,000 puffs. It also retains compatibility with existing 2+8ml pods across the BLAST ecosystem. The launch introduces eight new flavors, including Matcha Strawberry, which DOJO describes as an industry first.
Market
Sep.04
NAS 2026 | Cliff Douglas: Risk Continuum Should Play a Central Role in Tobacco Policy
NAS 2026 | Cliff Douglas: Risk Continuum Should Play a Central Role in Tobacco Policy
Cliff Douglas, a veteran U.S. tobacco-control and public health policy figure, told NAS 2026 that the “continuum of risk” should play a central role in tobacco policy. He called for clearer market pathways, stronger risk communication, differentiated regulation and enforcement, and said possible FDA reforms to PMTA reviews could be a “welcome correction” if they create a more efficient, predictable route for scientifically substantiated lower-risk products. Read 2Firsts’ on-site coverage.
Sep.26
Japan Survey Finds 49.5% Would Cut Tobacco Use if Prices Rise, 64.6% Show Interest in Nicotine-Free Alternatives
Japan Survey Finds 49.5% Would Cut Tobacco Use if Prices Rise, 64.6% Show Interest in Nicotine-Free Alternatives
A September online survey commissioned by Japanese smoking-accessories company Lightec found that 49.5% of respondents would consider reducing tobacco use if prices rose further, while 25.1% would consider switching to cheaper brands and 14.5% would consider using or combining alternatives such as vapes and nicotine-free herbal sticks. Another 64.6% expressed some level of interest in such alternatives. The survey covered 1,088 respondents aged 20 to 70 and was conducted by a company that sells NICOLESS nicotine-free vaping and herbal-stick products, meaning its findings should not be treated as representative of Japan's smoking population.
DATA
Oct.12
Australia Adds 6-Methylnicotine to Schedule 9 Prohibited Substances, Effective October 1
Australia Adds 6-Methylnicotine to Schedule 9 Prohibited Substances, Effective October 1
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration published a final decision on September 25 to classify 6-methylnicotine as a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard, effective October 1, 2026. TGA said the chemical has been reported in e-cigarette liquids sold in Australia and marketed as nicotine-free or nicotine alternatives, while evidence also indicates its use in preparations such as oral pouches. The government originally proposed a Schedule 7 classification but ultimately adopted the stricter Schedule 9 designation, citing acute toxicity, dependence risk, use in unapproved consumer products and misleading marketing.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
KIWI has launched the Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro refillable pod systems in Germany at official prices of €18 and €29, respectively. Spark 2 uses an 800mAh removable lithium-ion battery in a pen-style body, while Spark 2 Pro features a 1,400mAh removable battery, a box-shaped design and vibration feedback every 20 puffs. Both devices use the same 2ml Spark V2 pods in 0.8Ω and 1.2Ω versions, with AirSync airflow adjustment and a choice between Cotton Tips and conventional Drip Tips. The new pods also remain compatible with the original KIWI Spark.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Targets November Push as Sweden Holds Nicotine-Pouch Minimum at €20 per Kilogram
The Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union is using bilateral talks to push the bloc’s Tobacco Taxation Directive toward a political agreement in November. According to Law360, citing an EU official, Sweden is unwilling to accept a minimum excise threshold above €20 per kilogram for nicotine pouches. Council negotiations have already lowered the European Commission’s original proposal, but a May 2026 presidency compromise still set the minimum at 10% of the tax-inclusive retail price or €30 per kilogram in 2028-29, with higher levels later.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives