Tobacco Use
Trends in Tobacco Use Prevalence by Age
Recent evidence shows that adult use of any tobacco product did not decrease significantly between 2015 and 2023; however, this overall trend masks important shifts in types of tobacco products being used.1 Indeed, combustible tobacco use (e.g., cigarettes) has declined over this time period, particularly among young adults, while non-combustible tobacco use (e.g., e-cigarettes) has increased significantly since 2017, especially among young adults.1
Among adults, overall cigarette smoking prevalence has continued to decrease, especially among individuals aged 18 to 34 years from 2015 to 2023.1 However, trends in cigarette smoking prevalence are less rapidly declining for individuals aged 35 to 54 years and are leveling off for adults aged 55 years and older. At the population level, this significantly slower decline among the older population is expected to slow decreases in smoking-related morbidity and mortality.2 The overall prevalence of other combustible tobacco product use (i.e., cigars, pipe tobacco, and hookah tobacco) has remained relatively flat from 2015 to 2023, although prevalence among individuals aged 18-24 years has decreased during this period.1 Finally, the overall prevalence of the use of e-cigarettes has increased from 2015 to 2023, with the most dramatic increases being driven by individuals aged 18 to 34 years.1 (Figure 1.4.1).
In 2024, 2.25 million youth (8.1%) reported current use of any tobacco product,3 though less than 2% of high school students smoked cigarettes,3 down from 15.8% in 2011 (Figure 1.4.2).4 Furthermore, since 2014, e-cigarettes have been the most used tobacco product among youth. Although e-cigarette use has notably declined from its peak in 2018, youth e-cigarette use remains concerningly high (Figure 1.4.2). In 2024, 1.63 million youth (5.9%) reported past 30-day use of e-cigarettes, including 1.21 million (7.8%) high school students and 410,000 (3.5%) middle school students.5 Nearly 90% of youth reported use of non-tobacco flavored products (e.g., candy, mint).5
Among adults, overall cigarette smoking prevalence has continued to decrease, especially among individuals aged 18 to 34 years from 2015 to 2023.1 However, trends in cigarette smoking prevalence are less rapidly declining for individuals aged 35 to 54 years and are leveling off for adults aged 55 years and older. At the population level, this significantly slower decline among the older population is expected to slow decreases in smoking-related morbidity and mortality.2 The overall prevalence of other combustible tobacco product use (i.e., cigars, pipe tobacco, and hookah tobacco) has remained relatively flat from 2015 to 2023, although prevalence among individuals aged 18-24 years has decreased during this period.1 Finally, the overall prevalence of the use of e-cigarettes has increased from 2015 to 2023, with the most dramatic increases being driven by individuals aged 18 to 34 years.1 (Figure 1.4.1).
In 2024, 2.25 million youth (8.1%) reported current use of any tobacco product,3 though less than 2% of high school students smoked cigarettes,3 down from 15.8% in 2011 (Figure 1.4.2).4 Furthermore, since 2014, e-cigarettes have been the most used tobacco product among youth. Although e-cigarette use has notably declined from its peak in 2018, youth e-cigarette use remains concerningly high (Figure 1.4.2). In 2024, 1.63 million youth (5.9%) reported past 30-day use of e-cigarettes, including 1.21 million (7.8%) high school students and 410,000 (3.5%) middle school students.5 Nearly 90% of youth reported use of non-tobacco flavored products (e.g., candy, mint).5
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Sources
- Mok Y, Cummings K M, Randol CW, Roberson A, Levy DT, Meza R. Joinpoint trend analysis of prevalence of combustible and non-combustible tobacco product use by adults in the United States, using cross-sectional data from NHIS 2015–2023. Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2026;24(January):5.
- Stone MD, Pierce JP, Dang B, et al. State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e256834
- Jamal A, Park-Lee E, Birdsey J, et al. Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:917–924.
- https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6131a1.htm#:~:text=In%202011%2C%207.1%25%20of%20middle,use%20of%20cigarettes%20(Table).
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth.html