Tobacco use among adults in the United States has changed considerably in recent years. While adult cigarette smoking has declined to its lowest rate in six decades, other forms of tobacco use—including e-cigarettes—are growing more popular. This blog post unpacks the latest data on adult tobacco use, examines shifting tobacco product trends, and explains what these changes mean for public health.

Summary of Adult Tobacco Use and Product Trends

Over the past seven years, the popularity of traditional cigarettes has plummeted. The percentage of adults who smoke cigarettes fell from 10.8% in 2017 to 7.9% in 2023, marking a significant decrease. However, this drop in smoking was matched by a sharp rise in exclusive e-cigarette use—from 1.2% to 4.1% in the same period. Essentially, for every person who stopped smoking cigarettes, another person started using e-cigarettes, leaving the overall rate of adult tobacco use largely unchanged.

Tobacco Use Remains a Major Health Challenge

Cigarette smoking has long been linked to severe health problems and remains the number one cause of preventable death in the US. Though the proportion of adults who smoke has dropped from 42.4% in 1965 to 11.6% in 2022, millions of people are still exposed to the dangers of tobacco and nicotine. Now, with more adults turning to e-cigarettes and other tobacco products, the challenges for public health continue.

What Are the Key Tobacco Product Trends?

When reviewing adult tobacco use and product trends, the numbers reveal:

• Exclusive cigarette smoking continues to drop across nearly every age group.
• E-cigarette use is rising, especially among adults aged 18–44.
• Smokeless tobacco and pipe use remain much less common but have also shifted over time.

Changes by Age Group

• Young Adults (18–24): The use of cigarettes and pipes dropped sharply, while e-cigarette use surged.
• Adults (25–44): Smoking rates declined, but e-cigarette use grew significantly.
• Middle-Aged Adults (45–64): Small but noticeable increase in exclusive e-cigarette use.
• Older Adults (65+): Pipe use continued to decline. Uniquely, there was a slight increase in exclusive cigarette use.

The Numbers Behind Adult Tobacco Use

The latest analysis used data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2017 and 2023, covering more than 160,000 Americans in various age groups. Here are some stand-out findings:

• The number of adults who exclusively smoke cigarettes dropped by about 6.8 million.
• An extra 7.2 million adults now exclusively use e-cigarettes.
• Among the youngest adults (18–24), exclusive e-cigarette use jumped from 2.7% to 10.3%, while cigarette use fell from 6.5% to 1.2%.

These key shifts in tobacco product trends demonstrate that efforts to reduce cigarette smoking are working, but new challenges have emerged.

Why Do These Trends Matter for Public Health?

Even though fewer people smoke cigarettes, overall adult tobacco use remains steady due to increased use of other products like e-cigarettes. Because e-cigarettes and similar devices deliver nicotine in different ways, they come with their own set of health risks—not just for individuals, but for communities and future generations as well.

The persistent rate of adult tobacco use puts ongoing pressure on health services and communities. It brings new questions about how best to reduce tobacco-related harms and promote healthier choices, especially among younger adults.

Key Strategies to Address Adult Tobacco Use

Ongoing tobacco prevention and control efforts are making a difference but need to be more comprehensive. Leading experts recommend a blend of strategies:

• Increasing prices on tobacco products to make them less accessible.
• Smoke-free policies in workplaces, restaurants, and public areas.
• High-impact media campaigns that warn about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.
• Access to support and resources for those who want to quit.

These proven strategies can help reduce the appeal and accessibility of tobacco products, encourage quitting, and prevent new users from starting.

Comprehensive Tobacco Control Remains Essential

It’s clear that success in fighting adult tobacco use requires a mix of policies, community action, and accessible support. Continued monitoring of tobacco product trends allows policymakers and health professionals to adjust their tactics and focus on groups most at risk.

The Importance of Ongoing Surveillance

Keeping a close eye on tobacco product trends helps public health leaders spot emerging patterns early. For example, as e-cigarettes become more popular among young adults, tailored efforts may be needed for these age groups. Surveillance also includes monitoring new forms of nicotine delivery as technology and products evolve.

Supporting Quitting at Every Stage

Quitting tobacco is challenging but possible with the right support. Resources like free quit lines, counselling, and evidence-based therapies all make it easier for people to stop using tobacco products for good. Ongoing campaigns can share success stories and practical advice to inspire individuals to take that first step toward quitting.

Source: CDC.GOV