US adult cigarette smoking rate hits another all-time low
[May 30, 2026]
By MIKE STOBBE
NEW YORK (AP) — The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to
another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were
current smokers, according to government survey data released this week.
Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and
stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable
death.
The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention were based on survey responses from more than 24,200 adults.
In the survey, CDC officials defined current cigarette smoking as
smoking at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and now smoking every day
or some days.
In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been
gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product
price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the
social acceptability of lighting up in public.
In 2024, the percentage of current adult smokers fell below 10% for the
first time. Last year, it was 9%, according to the new survey.
The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but
has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%.
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 “The continued decline in smoking is
a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of
lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson,
president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids,
a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization.
Richardson said current smoking-prevention efforts have been set
back by cuts President Donald Trump's administration made that
eliminated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office
on Smoking and Health and its “Tips from Former Smokers” advertising
campaign.
She cited estimates that the “Tips” campaign alone helped more than
1 million Americans quit smoking and saved over $7.3 billion in
healthcare costs.
“This critical work must be restored and sustained to continue
reducing smoking-related disease, death and healthcare costs
nationwide,” Richardson said.
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