U.S. Adult Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Low, But Decimation of Federal Infrastructure Threatens Further Progress

U.S. Adult Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Low, But Decimation of Federal Infrastructure Threatens Further Progress

Statement of Brian A. King, Executive Vice President for U.S. Programs, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
March 18, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In terrific news for the nation's health, CDC survey data show that the adult cigarette smoking rate in the United States fell to 9.9% in 2024, the first time it has been under 10% since the survey began. According to CDC's annual National Health Interview Survey, the cigarette smoking rate among adults aged 18 or older has declined by 77% over the past six decades, from a high of 42.4% in 1965.

This continued decline in smoking represents a monumental public health achievement and has resulted in longer, healthier lives for millions of Americans. It stems from the sustained implementation of evidence-based strategies at the national, state and local levels, including tobacco tax increases, comprehensive smoke-free laws, hard-hitting public education campaigns, and services to help people who smoke to quit. These strategies work and should be fully implemented across the nation.

Despite these gains, tobacco use remains an enormous public health problem in the U.S. More than 25 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes, and continued progress reducing smoking rates nationally is at risk because of the decimation of the federal tobacco control infrastructure last year - which occurred after this survey was fielded. This includes the elimination of the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, which for decades has provided critical support to state tobacco prevention and cessation programs and has conducted highly effective public education campaigns warning the public about the risks of smoking. This critical work must continue to reduce smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs nationally.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., with cigarette smoking alone killing nearly 500,000 million Americans every year and costing over $241 billion in direct annual health care expenses. The latest survey findings also show there are marked disparities in use and associated harms by race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, sexual orientation and other factors. For all these reasons, the retention of tobacco control infrastructure and the implementation of evidence-based strategies must remain a national priority.