US Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Record 9% as E-Cigarette Use Holds Near 7%
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 29
US Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Record 9% as E-Cigarette Use Holds Near 7%
9 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 29
1 in 11 U.S. adults said they smoked cigarettes in 2025, pushing the adult smoking rate down to a record 9% from under 10% in 2024, according to preliminary CDC survey data.
More than 24,200 adults were surveyed, and the long decline reflects higher tobacco taxes and prices, smoking bans, public education campaigns and weaker social acceptance of smoking.
42% of U.S. adults smoked in the mid-1960s, underscoring how sharply cigarette use has fallen even as adult e-cigarette use has edged up and then held roughly steady at 7% in 2025.
Advocates called the drop a major public-health gain but warned recent Trump administration cuts eliminated the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health and its 'Tips from Former Smokers' campaign.
Will new e-cigarette policies create a new generation of nicotine addicts while adults quit smoking?
With smoking at a record low, why was the federal office leading this public health success eliminated?
As national smoking rates fall, why are smoking-related health gaps for marginalized communities widening?
Smoking Rate in US Adults Hits Record Low Under 10%—What’s Next for Tobacco and Nicotine Policy?
Overview
In 2024, the U.S. adult cigarette smoking rate dropped to a historic low of 9.9%, falling below 10% for the first time and marking a major public health milestone. This decline, from 10.8% in 2023, means cigarette smoking is now considered rare in the U.S., though about 25 million adults still smoke. While e-cigarette use among adults stayed steady at 7%, overall tobacco use remains significant, with 48 million adults using at least one tobacco product. These trends highlight both the success of long-term tobacco control efforts and the ongoing challenges in reducing nicotine use nationwide.