Public Health and Tobacco Use

A new analysis of National Health Interview Survey data, published Tuesday in the journal NEJM Evidence and led by Atlanta‑based public health researcher Israel Agaku, finds that only 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, down from 10.8% in 2023 and the first time adult smoking has dropped into single digits. The study estimates that about 25.2 million adults still smoke cigarettes and that 47.7 million adults, or 18.8% of the population, use at least one tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars or e‑cigarettes. Combustible tobacco use overall fell to 12.6% from 13.5% year‑over‑year, but use of other products such as e‑cigarettes and cigars did not significantly change, with nearly 15% of adults ages 18–24 using e‑cigarettes compared with 3.4% who smoke cigarettes. Researchers warn that the plateau in vaping and cigar use, and the concentration of tobacco use among men, rural residents, low‑income individuals, people with disabilities, and workers in sectors like agriculture, construction and manufacturing, means nicotine addiction is shifting rather than disappearing. The findings suggest the U.S. is moving closer to the Healthy People 2030 goal of cutting adult smoking to 6.1%, but underscore calls from public‑health experts for stronger, comprehensive tobacco‑control policies that cover all nicotine products, not just cigarettes.