Updated on August 2, 2024
4 min read

Tobacco Use and Vaping in the US: Statistics, Trends, and Health Implications

The United States faces a persistent tobacco epidemic. While smoking rates are declining, e-cigarette use, especially among youth, is alarming.

This blog post analyzes US tobacco and vaping trends, health risks, and prevention needs, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.

Tobacco Use and Vaping Statistics

The prevalence of tobacco use and vaping varies significantly across different demographics. 10% of high schoolers still vape, fueling concerns about nicotine addiction and long-term health risks.

Understanding these patterns is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Vaping Among Different Age Groups

Here’s the data on tobacco use and vaping among different age groups:

  • In 2021, approximately 22.0% (about 61.6 million people) of the general population aged 12 and older reported using tobacco products or vaping nicotine in the past 30 days.
  • Among adolescents aged 17-18 years, cigarette smoking prevalence decreased from 36.8% in 1997 to 3.0% in 2020, while past 30-day nicotine vaping surged from 11.0% in 2017 to 25.5% in 2019.
  • In 2022, 24.8% of 12th graders reported any nicotine use, with 4% reporting cigarette smoking and 20.7% reporting vaping nicotine.
  • Among young adults aged 18-24 years, cigarette smoking prevalence decreased from 29.1% in 1997 to 5.4% in 2020, while exclusive vaping increased from 1.7% to 4.0% between 2014-15 and 2018-19.
AD 4nXfiAaC2G6GpKZUm bvK 1oae9tt6bBuJe6RHl6yhbyvIhluqGqzQ3 wmDf9fFi8rEl9pAKNqov2ygno4NvSILYlOT6GPBZNspT2ntoIVuGJbOUJlkQSqCvFM1unPBvUR7QQHnbKmfQfa0RnUf eGHDBl2 q?key=73BmvpUEwi7kLosGfLBWYg

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Vaping By Gender

The graph below shows that men have higher smoking rates (13.1%) compared to women (10.1%).

AD 4nXfl72jaZEojn7WOWxCF xXp67nzpHVwKRRwnjHs40X9eHn5E

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Vaping By Ethnicity

The bar chart below illustrates the smoking rates by ethnicity.

AD 4nXePZI8R1apUOMxh0wTIJrC9xiVPUe1HQLRegZwGsezhmDVlIx7qGs MRO15P7VdYfoQNJexAMwRezfcVNIzKdWXB1lS2tfR5XoQvOrA2R2Ds2C df 4MfZYzJVZ0 YaXNUtaxlnwg

The data includes:

  • American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest smoking rate at 21.9%.
  • Non-Hispanic Whites at 16.6%
  • African Americans at 16.8%
  • Hispanics at 10.1%
  • Asian Americans at 7.0%

Changes in Tobacco Use and Vaping Rates Over the Past Decade

Over the past decade, the rates of tobacco use and vaping in the US have gone through significant changes, particularly among young adults.

  • Cigarette smoking among U.S. young adults has seen a substantial decline, with smoking prevalence dropping from 29.1% in 1997 to 5.4% in 2020 for those aged 18-24 years.
  • There has been a notable surge in e-cigarette use among adolescents, with past 30-day nicotine vaping among those aged 17-18 years increasing from 11.0% in 2017 to 25.5% in 2019.
  • The overall smoking rate among U.S. adults has also declined, with 12% of adults reporting cigarette smoking in the past week as of 2023, a significant decrease from the 20% or higher rates observed from 1944 through 2012.
  • The decline in smoking rates is partly attributed to increased awareness of the health dangers associated with smoking and effective public health campaigns, such as the FDA’s Real Cost media campaign.

Correlation Between Vaping and Smoking

Studies have shown an inverse relationship between vaping and smoking, with the increase in vaping associated with a more rapid decline in smoking rates among youth and young adults.

  • The decline in past 30-day smoking prevalence accelerated by two to four times after 2014, coinciding with the rise in vaping.
  • Despite the inverse relationship, the trends in vaping and smoking appear to be largely independent, with the surge in adolescent vaping from 2017-2019 not corresponding to a similar increase in young adult vaping.
  • Regulatory actions, including the removal of flavorings from some e-cigarette products and state-level bans on flavored tobacco products, have also influenced vaping and smoking behaviors.
Sponsored

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

  • Professional and effective
  • Affordable and convenient
  • Personalized and discreet
  • Easy to start
Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

Woman drinking coffee on couch

The Impact of Tobacco Use and Vaping on Public Health

Smoking and vaping are bad for the health. They can affect smokers and non-smokers via secondhand exposure. Let’s take a look at this in more detail.

Burden of Tobacco-Related Diseases on the Healthcare System

Tobacco use places an enormous strain on the healthcare system:

  • Economic impact: Smoking-related illnesses cost the United States over $600 billion annually, including more than $240 billion in direct healthcare spending and nearly $185 billion in lost productivity.
  • Healthcare utilization: Smokers generally require more medical care, including more hospitalizations and longer hospital stays compared to non-smokers.
  • Chronic disease management: Tobacco use contributes significantly to the prevalence and severity of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and COPD, which require ongoing medical management and resources.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Its Effects

Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers:

  • Mortality: Secondhand smoke exposure causes approximately 41,000 deaths per year in the United States.
  • Cardiovascular effects: Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of developing coronary heart disease.
  • Respiratory issues: Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks.
  • Cancer risk: Secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of lung cancer in non-smoking adults by 20-30%.
  • Economic burden: The cost of lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure is estimated at $5.6 billion annually.

The Role of Tobacco and Vaping in Chronic Diseases

Tobacco use and vaping significantly contribute to the development and progression of chronic diseases:

  • Cardiovascular disease: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
  • Respiratory diseases: Tobacco use is the primary cause of COPD and exacerbates asthma symptoms.
  • Cancer: Smoking is causally linked to multiple types of cancer, including lung, throat, and bladder cancer.
  • Diabetes: Smokers have a 30-40% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to non-smokers.
  • Vaping and chronic disease: While the long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, there is evidence of acute lung injury (EVALI) associated with e-cigarette use and concerns about potential chronic health effects.

The alarming statistics on tobacco use and vaping in the US reveal a persistent public health crisis. The devastating health consequences further highlight the urgent need for comprehensive action to combat this epidemic.

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

betterhelp-logo
Updated on August 2, 2024

Related Pages