United States: Latest figures on smoking prevalence among adults

In the United States, a report[1] of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Published on November 20, 2020, the study reveals figures on tobacco and vaping product use among Americans aged 18 and older. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes do not appear to be helping reduce the number of American adults who smoke and are attracting those who have never smoked.

To assess recent national estimates of tobacco product use among U.S. adults aged 18 and older, the CDC analyzed data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)In 2019, approximately one in five adults (21%) in the United States reported currently using a tobacco or vaping product. 14% of the 21% are users of traditional cigarettes, 4.5% of e-cigarettes, 3.6% of cigars, 2.4% of chewing tobacco, and 1% of pipe tobacco (1%), some products may be co-used.

The rate of traditional cigarette smokers in 2019 remained essentially unchanged compared to the previous two years (13.8% in 2018 and 14% in 2017). However, the use of e-cigarettes among adults has increased: it concerned 4.5% of the adult population in 2019 compared to 3.2% in 2018 and 2.8% in 2017. In 2019, nearly one in four e-cigarette users had never been a smoker.

The results again show significant disparities in smoking prevalence in the United States. Rates are higher among minorities (American Indians, Alaska Natives), low-income populations, adults without health insurance or Medicaid, and those with low levels of education (high school diploma or less). Prevalence is also higher among the LGBT community and people with disabilities.

E-cigarette use was highest among young adults aged 18 to 24 years (9.3%), with more than half (56%) of these young adults reporting that they had never smoked cigarettes. For the organization Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), These findings are further evidence that e-cigarettes are exposing a new generation to the risk of nicotine addiction and are not a genuine smoking cessation tool. CTFK argues that this report underscores the need for stronger and more effective regulation of e-cigarettes by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), by immediately banning all flavored products that appeal to young people.[2]