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  5. Cigarette Smoking Comparisons and Disparities

Cigarette Smoking Comparisons and Disparities

Smoking Rates by Sex

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1SexCurrent SmokingMen are significantly more likely to smoke than womenAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.13.2%​13.2%10.0%​10.0%MaleFemale0%10%5%15%

Smoking Rates by Age

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1AgeCurrent SmokingSmoking rates increase with age until around middle age, then decreaseAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.4.9%​4.9%12.5%​12.5%15.1%​15.1%8.7%​8.7%18.2425.4445.6465+0%5%10%15%20%

Smoking Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Race/EthnicityCurrent SmokingSmoking rates are highest among American Indian/Alaska Natives and lowest among AsiansAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.12.7%​12.7%14.2%​14.2%19.3%​19.3%4.6%​4.6%8.7%​8.7%WhiteBlackAmerican Indian/Alaska NativeAsianHispanic0%5%10%15%20%25%

Menthol Brand Preference Among Current Smokers

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1More than three quarters of Black current smokers report that their usual cigarette brand is menthol, much higher than the next​highest rateAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NSDUH 2021.30.4%​30.4%85.2%​85.2%43.3%​43.3%51.5%​51.5%WhiteBlackAsianHispanic0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%75%80%85%90%

Smoking Rates by Education

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1EducationCurrent SmokingSmoking rates are highest for those with less than a high school education, or a high school diploma or GEDAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.20.7%​20.7%16.3%​16.3%11.9%​11.9%4.4%​4.4%Less than HSHS or GEDSome CollegeBA or Higher0%5%10%15%20%25%

Smoking Rates by Income

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Ratio of Family Income to the Poverty ThresholdCurrent SmokingSmoking rates are highest for those with a family income below the poverty thresholdAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.21.6%​21.6%16.9%​16.9%9.0%​9.0%< 11.22+0%5%10%15%20%25%

Based on 2014 poverty thresholds from the Census Bureau, which depend on size and age composition of family.

Smoking Rates by Sexual Identity

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Current SmokingSmoking rates are higher among gay, lesbian, or bisexual females but not males compared to straight individualsAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.12.3%​12.3%13.2%​13.2%13.3%​13.3%9.9%​9.9%Gay Lesbian or BisexualStraight IndividualsMaleFemale0%5%10%15%

Smoking Rates by Health Insurance Coverage

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Insurance Coverage Among Adults Ages 18-65Current SmokingThose on Medicaid and who are uninsured smoke at over twice the rate as those with private health insuranceAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.8.9%​8.9%19.6%​19.6%21.0%​21.0%PrivateUninsuredMedicaid0%5%10%15%20%25%

Smoking Rates by Urban vs Rural Residency

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Current SmokingSmoking rates are higher among rural than urban residentsAmerican Lung Association analysis of CDC data: BRFSS 2022.10.4%​10.4%15.6%​15.6%UrbanRural0%5%10%15%20%

Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes by Adults

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Rate of E-cigarette Use by Cigarette Use, 2022American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.14% are current e-cig users​14% are current e-cig users11% are current e-cig users​11% are current e-cig users3% are current e-cig users​3% are current e-cig users6% are current e-cig users​6% are current e-cig users48% have ever used e-cigs​48% have ever used e-cigs30% have ever used e-cigs​30% have ever used e-cigs11% have ever used e-cigs​11% have ever used e-cigs20% have ever used e-cigs​20% have ever used e-cigs52% have never used e-cigs​52% have never used e-cigs70% have never used e-cigs​70% have never used e-cigs89% have never used e-cigs​89% have never used e-cigs80% have never used e-cigs​80% have never used e-cigsCurrent SmokerFormer SmokerNever SmokerTotal0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%75%80%85%90%95%

Current smokers have the highest rates of ever (48%) and current (14%) use of e-cigarettes, followed by former smokers (30% ever, 11% current), with the lowest e-cigarette rates (11% ever, 3% current) among never smokers.

Created with Highcharts 10.2.1Rate of Cigarette Use by E-cigarette Use, 2022American Lung Association analysis of CDC data: NHIS 2022.27% are current e-cig users​27% are current e-cig users29% are current e-cig users​29% are current e-cig users7% are current e-cig users​7% are current e-cig users12% are current e-cig users​12% are current e-cig users41% have ever used e-cigs​41% have ever used e-cigs31% have ever used e-cigs​31% have ever used e-cigs19% have ever used e-cigs​19% have ever used e-cigs22% have ever used e-cigs​22% have ever used e-cigs32% have never used e-cigs​32% have never used e-cigs40% have never used e-cigs​40% have never used e-cigs73% have never used e-cigs​73% have never used e-cigs66% have never used e-cigs​66% have never used e-cigsCurrent SmokerFormer SmokerNever SmokerTotal0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%75%80%

Among current users of e-cigarettes, 27 percent also currently smoke, and 41 percent formerly smoked.

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Page last updated: May 14, 2024

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