The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data released this week.
Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable death.
The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were based on survey responses from more than 24,200 adults. In the survey, CDC officials defined current cigarette smoking as smoking at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and now smoking every day or some days.
In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public.
In 2024, the percentage of current adult smokers fell below 10% for the first time. Last year, it was 9%, according to the new survey.
The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%.
“The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.
Richardson said current smoking-prevention efforts have been set back by cuts President Donald Trump’s administration made that eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign.
She cited estimates that the “Tips” campaign alone helped more than 1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in healthcare costs.
“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationwide,” Richardson said.
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This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
The smoking rate among U.S. adults has reached a historic low, with just 1 in 11 adults identifying as current smokers, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decline is significant as cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for serious health conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and it remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
The CDC’s findings are based on a survey of over 24,200 adults, who reported their smoking habits. For the purposes of the survey, current smokers were defined as those who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and continue to smoke on a daily or occasional basis. The smoking rate among adults has decreased significantly since the mid-1960s, when approximately 42% of adults were smokers.
This continuous decline in smoking rates can be attributed to various factors including increased cigarette taxes, higher prices for tobacco products, smoking bans in public places, extensive public education campaigns, and a shift in social norms that have made smoking less acceptable in many contexts. The percentage of adult smokers fell below 10% for the first time in 2024, reaching a new low of 9%.
While traditional cigarette use has declined, the usage of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been on the rise, stabilizing at around 7% among adults in 2025. This trend indicates a shift in smoking preferences, as some individuals may be turning to e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional smoking.
Yolonda Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, emphasized the importance of the decline in smoking rates as a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and reduced healthcare costs significantly. She highlighted the critical contributions of current smoking-prevention initiatives, which have faced setbacks due to budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration. The elimination of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health and the discontinuation of the “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising campaign were particularly noted, as the latter was credited with helping over a million Americans quit smoking and saving an estimated $7.3 billion in healthcare costs.
Richardson stressed the need to restore and sustain effective smoking prevention programs to continue the fight against smoking-related diseases and deaths, as well as to reduce overall healthcare expenses associated with tobacco use.
In summary, the latest survey data reveals a continued decline in cigarette smoking among U.S. adults, marking a pivotal moment in public health efforts to reduce tobacco use. While challenges remain, particularly with the rise of e-cigarette usage, the overall trend indicates a positive shift towards healthier behaviors and reduced smoking prevalence.
