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Get the Facts: Tobacco & Vaping

By February 6, 2019 February 15th, 2022 No Comments

How tobacco is affecting the U.S.

Tobacco use and vaping have become an epidemic. Get the facts you need to know regarding what demographics tobacco and vaping affects across the U.S.

Who it affects

By Gender

Men were more likely to be current cigarette smokers than women.

  • Nearly 18 of every 100 adult men (17.5%)
  • Nearly 14 of every 100 adult women (13.5%)

By Age

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons aged 18–24 years, 25–44 years, and 45–64 years than among those aged 65 years and older.

  • About 13 of every 100 adults aged 18–24 years (13.1%)
  • Nearly 18 of every 100 adults aged 25–44 years (17.6%)
  • 18 of every 100 adults aged 45–64 years (18.0%)
  • Nearly 9 of every 100 adults aged 65 years and older (8.8%)

By Race/Ethnicity

Current cigarette smoking was highest among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives and people of multiple races and lowest among Asians.

  • Nearly 32 of every 100 non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives (31.8%)
  • About 25 of every 100 non-Hispanic multiple race individuals (25.2%)
  • Nearly 17 of every 100 non-Hispanic Blacks (16.5%)
  • Nearly 17 of every 100 non-Hispanic Whites (16.6%)
  • Nearly 11 of every 100 Hispanics (10.7%)
  • 9 of every 100 non-Hispanic Asians* (9.0%)

By Education

Current cigarette smoking was highest among persons with a graduate education degree certificate (GED) and lowest among those with a graduate degree.

  • About 24 of every 100 adults with 12 or fewer years of education (no diploma) (24.1%)
  • Nearly 41 of every 100 adults with a GED certificate (40.6%)
  • Nearly 20 of every 100 adults with a high school diploma (19.7%)
  • Nearly 19 of every 100 adults with some college (no degree) (18.9%)
  • Nearly 17 of every 100 adults with an associate’s degree (16.8%)
  • Nearly 8 of every 100 adults with an undergraduate degree (7.7%)
  • Nearly 5 of every 100 adults with a graduate degree (4.5%)

By Poverty Status

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons living below the poverty* level than those living at or above this level.

  • About 25 of every 100 adults who live below the poverty level (25.3%)
  • About 14 of every 100 adults who live at or above the poverty level (14.3%)

*Poverty thresholds are based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

By U.S. Census Region

Current cigarette smoking was highest in the Midwest and lowest in the West.

  • Nearly 19 of every 100 adults who live in the Midwest (18.5%)
  • Nearly 17 of every 100 adults who live in the South (16.9%)
  • About 13 of every 100 adults who live in the Northeast (13.3%)
  • About 12 of every 100 adults who live in the West (12.3%)

By Disability/Limitation

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons with a disability/limitation than among those with no disability/limitation.

  • About 21 of every 100 adults who reported having a disability/limitation (21.2%)
  • About 14 of every 100 adults who reported having no disability/limitation (14.4%)

By Sexual Orientation

Lesbian/gay/bisexual adults were more likely to be current smokers than straight adults.

  • Nearly 21 of every 100 lesbian/gay/bisexual adults (20.5%)
  • About 15 of every 100 straight adults (15.3%)

By Serious Psychological Distress

Adults that had experienced serious psychological distress were more likely to be current smokers than adults that did not report serious psychological distress.

  • Nearly 36 of every 100 adults with serious psychological distress (35.8%)
  • Nearly 15 of every 100 adults without serious psychological distress (14.7%)

Ready to take action?

Call or text the Partnership™ for Drug-Free Kids Helpline at 55753 or 1-855-DRUGFREE or send us an email.