among adults in 2016 (Nation)

– Current –

CIGARETTE SMOKING

CS298993-A

More than 16 million Americans live with 

a smoking-related disease.1

*Current smokers are defined as persons who reported smoking at least 

 100 cigarettes during their lifetime and who, at the time they participated 

 in a survey about this topic, reported smoking every day or some days.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of 

preventable disease and death in the United 

States, accounting for more than 480,000 

deaths every year or 1 of every 5 deaths.

1

Current smoking has declined from nearly 

21 of every 100 adults (20.9%) in 2005 to 

more than 15 of every 100 adults (15.5%) 

in 2016.2

www.cdc.gov/tobacco

OVERVIEW

In 2016, more than 15 of every 100 U.S. 

adults aged 18 years or older currently 

smoked cigarettes.*
BY RACE/ETHNICITY2

Current cigarette smoking was highest among non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska 

Natives and people of multiple races and lowest among Asians.

Nearly 17 of every 100 non-Hispanic Blacks

About 25 of every 100 non-Hispanic multiple 

race individuals

Nearly 11 of every 100 Hispanics 

Nearly 17 of every 100 non-Hispanic Whites

*Non-Hispanic Asians do not include Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders.

BY AGE2

About 13 of every 100 

adults aged 18–24 years

Nearly 18 of every 100 

adults aged 25–44 years

18 of every 100 adults 

aged 45–64 years

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons aged 18–24 years, 25–44 years, and 

45–64 years than among those aged 65 years and older.

13.1% 17.6% 18.0% 8.8%

Nearly 9 of every 100

adults aged 65 years

and older 

Nearly 32 of every 100 non-Hispanic American 

Indians/Alaska Natives

Men were more likely to be 

current cigarette smokers 

than women. Nearly 18 of every 

100 adult men 

Nearly 14 of every 

100 adult women

BY GENDER2

17.5% 13.5%

25.2%

16.6%

16.5%

10.7%

9.0%

9 of every 100 non-Hispanic Asians*
BY POVERTY STATUS2

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons living below the poverty* level than 

those living at or above this level.

About 25 of every 100 adults

who live below the poverty level

About 14 of every 100 adults who 

live at or above the poverty level

14.3%

*Poverty thresholds are based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

25.3%

BY U.S. CENSUS REGION2

Nearly 19 of every 100 adults who live in 

the Midwest

Nearly 17 of every 100 adults who live in 

the South

About 13 of every 100 adults who live in 

the Northeast

About 12 of every 100 adults who live in 

the West

Current cigarette smoking was highest in the Midwest and lowest in the West.

Current cigarette smoking was highest among persons with a graduate 

education degree (GED) certificate and lowest among those with a 

graduate degree.

About 24 of every 100 adults with 

12 or fewer years of education (no 

diploma) (24.1%)

Nearly 20 of every 100 adults with a 

high school diploma (19.7%)

Nearly 17 of every 100 adults with an 

associate’s degree (16.8%)

Nearly 19 of every 100 adults with 

some college (no degree) (18.9%)

Nearly 8 of every 100 adults with an 

undergraduate degree (7.7%)

Nearly 5 of every 100 adults

with a graduate degree (4.5%)

Nearly 41 of every 100 adults 

with a GED certificate

BY EDUCATION2

12.3% 18.5%

16.9%

13.3%

40.6%
BY SEXUAL ORIENTATION2

Lesbian/gay/bisexual 

adults were more likely

to be current smokers 

than straight adults.

Nearly 21 of every 100

lesbian/gay/bisexual adults

20.5%

About 15 of every 100

straight adults

15.3%

BY DISABILITY/LIMITATION2

Current cigarette smoking was higher among persons with a disability/

limitation than among those with no disability/limitation.

About 14 of every 100 adults who reported having 

no disability/limitation

21.2%

14.4%

About 21 of every 100 adults who reported having 

a disability/limitation

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: 

A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 

Office on Smoking and Health, 2014 [accessed 2018 Feb 22].

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 

2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2018;67(2):53-9 [accessed 2018 Feb 22].