Smoking Cessation

The proportion of people who have quit smoking among those who ever smoked (called quit ratio) among US adults reached an all-time high of 65% in 2024.¹ Still, significant disparities exist in successful smoking cessation across states (Maps 1.5.1 and 1.5.2).

Although more than two-thirds of surveyed adults in every state reported an interest in quitting cigarette smoking (Map 1.5.3), the use of evidence-based cessation counseling and/or medications remained at or below 50% in 2019, with particularly low utilization in the South and Midwest (Map 1.5.4). Individuals living in the Northeastern and Western regions of the US tended to have higher past-year quit attempts than those individuals living in the Southern and Midwestern regions (Map 1.5.5).²

Quitting smoking at any age improves overall health, with the greatest benefits seen when cessation occurs earlier in life. In 2022, adults aged 45–64 and those 65 and older reported lower past-year quit attempts (47% and 49%, respectively) and lower cessation success (both 6%) compared with younger adults. (Figure 1.5.1). Despite facing the highest risks for smoking-related health conditions, older adults had fewer quit attempts and lower success rates.