U.S. Adult Smoking Rates Reach Record Low

The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults has reached a new record low, with 1 in 11 adults identifying as current smokers, according to recent government survey data. Cigarette smoking is linked to significant health risks like lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and is a leading cause of preventable death.

Survey Details

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveyed over 24,200 adults to gather these preliminary findings. A current cigarette smoker is defined as someone who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smokes daily or occasionally.

In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. Over the decades, this rate has decreased, influenced by measures such as increased taxes on cigarettes, higher tobacco product prices, smoking bans, public education efforts, and a shift in the social norm regarding smoking in public. Notably, in 2024, the percentage of adults who smoked dropped below 10% for the first time, with the rate being 9% last year.

Electronic Cigarette Usage

While traditional smoking is declining, electronic cigarette use has experienced a gradual increase among adults. In 2025, it remained steady at about 7%.

Public Health Impact

Yolonda Richardson, CEO at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, highlighted the public health benefits of the declining smoking rates. She noted that millions of lives have been saved, and billions in healthcare costs have been avoided. However, she expressed concerns about setbacks to smoking prevention programs caused by funding cuts during President Donald Trump’s administration, which affected the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” campaign. This advertising initiative alone was estimated to have aided over 1 million Americans in quitting smoking and saved more than $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 stated.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department produced this content with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.