Lowest Smoking Rate in US History: A Public Health Milestone

Market by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.12.2024
Lowest Smoking Rate in US History: A Public Health Milestone
According to US News, the smoking rate in the US has reached a historic low of 11.5%, falling from 42% in 1965, signaling the success of anti-tobacco campaigns.

According to a report from US News on January 11th, the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the smoking rate in the United States has declined from 42% in 1965 to a historic low of 11.5% in 2021 since the release of an important health and smoking report by the US Department of Health on January 11th, 1964. Anti-tobacco advocates believe that this marks the beginning of the largest and longest-running public health campaign in the United States.

 

For decades, tobacco control advocates have been raising public awareness of the health hazards associated with tobacco use and implementing indoor smoking bans in public places, leading to a cultural shift in how Americans view smoking. As of February 2023, a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 57% of American adults support a policy of banning the sale of all tobacco products.

 

Yolanda Richardson, president and CEO of the "Smoke-Free Kids" organization, stated that the smoking situation in the United States is actually a success story. Although progress has been slow, there has been a significant decrease in smoking rates among adults and young people, and public attitudes towards smoking have also undergone a notable shift. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of smoking among adolescents has also been steadily declining, dropping from 36.4% in 1997 to 1.9% in 2023.

 

Despite a continuous decline in the national smoking rate, some individuals believe that progress in recent years has slowed down. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, resulting in over 480,000 American fatalities each year and incurring healthcare costs exceeding $240 billion.

 

According to data from the US Food and Drug Administration, nearly 85% of African American smokers and 30% of white smokers use menthol cigarettes. Richardson believes that more work is needed to address the persistently high rates of tobacco use among different regions and specific populations. She states, "We cannot let our guard down.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

UK Retailers Call on Government to Better Resource Trading Standards to Fight Illicit Tobacco and Vape Trade
UK Retailers Call on Government to Better Resource Trading Standards to Fight Illicit Tobacco and Vape Trade
Retailers in the UK have called on the government to provide greater resources to Trading Standards in response to the growing trade in illicit tobacco and vapes. Fed national vice-president Hemanshu Patel made the call during a panel discussion at the National Convenience Show in Birmingham on April 15.
Apr.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
ELFBAR Resolves Global Dispute Over "ELF" Trademark with VPR Brands LP
ELFBAR Resolves Global Dispute Over "ELF" Trademark with VPR Brands LP
ELFBAR announces global settlement with VPR Brands LP over "ELF" trademark dispute, covering major markets like US, Canada, UK.
Apr.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Guernsey Rejects Petition to Overturn Under-18 Vape Shop Ban
Guernsey Rejects Petition to Overturn Under-18 Vape Shop Ban
A petition seeking to overturn a new ban on under-18s entering vape shops in Guernsey has been rejected. The Health and Social Care Committee said the measure meets its objective of protecting children from exposure to vaping products.
Mar.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Casey’s, the No. 3 U.S. C-Store Chain, Sees Nicotine Category Shift as Pouches Rise 31% and Vapor 12%
Casey’s, the No. 3 U.S. C-Store Chain, Sees Nicotine Category Shift as Pouches Rise 31% and Vapor 12%
Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY) reported accelerating growth in modern nicotine products during its fiscal third quarter ended January 31, 2026. Nicotine pouch sales increased 31% year over year, while vapor products rose 12%. Although cigarette unit sales continued to decline, management stated that the rate of decline slowed compared to prior quarters.
Market
Mar.15
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report| War continues to shape the Ukrainian tobacco market
Special Report| War continues to shape the Ukrainian tobacco market
Four years into the war, Ukraine’s tobacco market is being reshaped by stress-driven consumption, tax pressure, youth e-cigarette use and a growing illicit segment. Surveys point to rising tobacco and nicotine product use, while higher excise duties and shadow trade are adding new complexity to the market.
Apr.17