US Smoking Rate Hit Record Low, Tobacco Use Remains High

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking rates in the United States have dropped to their lowest level since 1965, with only 11.5% of Americans regularly smoking cigarettes in 2021. This surpasses the 12% goal set by the US government's Healthy People 2020 plan. However, tobacco use remains high, with nearly one in five adults reporting the use of a tobacco product in 2021, and e-cigarette use rising to 4.5%.

Companies such as Marlboro maker Altria Group Inc. have contributed to this shift in tobacco consumption by expanding into smoke-free nicotine alternatives as cigarette use declines. The number of e-cigarette products available has more than quadrupled from June 2021 to 2022, according to a Truth Initiative analysis.

E-cigarettes have gained popularity among young adults and children, partly due to the perception that they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and the use of appealing flavors. About a third of people who reported using multiple tobacco products smoked both cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Despite the decline in cigarette use, smoking remains prevalent in specific populations, including low-income individuals and those living in rural areas. Researchers recommend addressing these disparities through strategies such as increasing product prices, launching educational campaigns, and regulating products.