Cigarette smoking rates are not equal across demographic groups. This pages describes current cigarette smoking rates by sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, sexual identity, health insurance coverage, rural versus urban residency, and dual use of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes among adults.
Smoking Rates by Sex
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Sex Current Smoking Chart context menu Men are significantly more likely to smoke than women American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. Male Female 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Smoking Rates by Age
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Age Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates increase with age until around middle age, then decrease American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. 18-24 25-44 45-64 65+ 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Smoking Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Race/Ethnicity Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates are highest among American Indian/Alaska Natives and lowest among Asians American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. White Black American Indian/Alaska Native Asian Hispanic 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Menthol Brand Preference among Current Smokers
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Chart context menu More than three-quarters of Black current smokers report that their usual cigarette brand is menthol, more than twice the next highest rate American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2015. White Black American Indian/Alaska Native Asian Hispanic Total 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 23.0%
77.4%
21.8%
25.7%
35.0%
31.5%
Smoking Rates by Education
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Education Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates are highest for those with less than a high school education, or a high school diploma or GED American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. Less than HS HS or GED Some college BA or higher 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Smoking Rates by Income
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Ratio of Family Income to the Poverty Threshold Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates are highest for those with a family income below the poverty threshold American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. <1 1-2 2+ 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Based on 2014 poverty thresholds from the Census Bureau , which depend on size and age composition of family.
Smoking Rates by Sexual Identity
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates are higher among gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals of both sexes compared to straight individuals American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. Male Female 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
Smoking Rates by Health Insurance Coverage
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Insurance Coverage Among Adults Ages 18-65 Current Smoking Chart context menu Those on Medicaid and who are uninsured smoke at over twice the rate as those with private health insurance American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. Private Uninsured Medicaid 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Smoking Rates by Urban vs Rural Residency
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Current Smoking Chart context menu Smoking rates are higher among rural than urban residents American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: BRFSS 2018. Urban Rural 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes by Adults
Current smokers have the highest rates of ever (40%) and current (10%) use of e-cigarettes, followed by former smokers (13% ever, 6% current), with the lowest e-cigarette rates (5% ever, 1% current) among never smokers.
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Chart context menu Rate of E-cigarette Use by Cigarette Use, 2018 American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. 10% are current e-cig users 10% are current e-cig users6% are current e-cig users 6% are current e-cig users1% are current e-cig users 1% are current e-cig users3% are current e-cig users 3% are current e-cig users40% have ever used e-cigs 40% have ever used e-cigs13% have ever used e-cigs 13% have ever used e-cigs5% have ever used e-cigs 5% have ever used e-cigs12% have ever used e-cigs 12% have ever used e-cigs51% have never used e-cigs 51% have never used e-cigs82% have never used e-cigs 82% have never used e-cigs94% have never used e-cigs 94% have never used e-cigs85% have never used e-cigs 85% have never used e-cigsCurrent Smokers Former Smokers Never Smokers Total 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100% 10…
Among current users of e-cigarettes, 41 percent also currently smoke, and 38 percent formerly smoked.
Created with Highcharts 10.2.1 Chart context menu Rate of Cigarette Use by E-Cigarette Use, 2018 American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2018. 41% are current smokers 41% are current smokers47% are current smokers 47% are current smokers8% are current smokers 8% are current smokers14% are current smokers 14% are current smokers38% are former smokers 38% are former smokers24% are former smokers 24% are former smokers21% are former smokers 21% are former smokers22% are former smokers 22% are former smokers21% are never smokers 21% are never smokers30% are never smokers 30% are never smokers71% are never smokers 71% are never smokers64% are never smokers 64% are never smokersCurrent Ever Never Total 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75%