Cigarette smoking in the U.S. has reached a historic low, marking a significant shift in public health trends. According to Gallup's annual Consumption Habits poll, only 11% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in the past week, a figure that matches the historical low first recorded in 2022. This is a dramatic decrease from the 41% who smoked in 1944 when Gallup first began tracking these habits. The smoking rate has halved in just a decade and is now one-third of what it was in the late 1980s. 

This decline in smoking is particularly pronounced among young adults, a group that historically had the highest smoking rates. Today, only 6% of adults under 30 report smoking cigarettes, compared to 35% in the early 2000s. This change signals a major cultural shift: young adults are now less likely to smoke than older age groups, with the highest smoking rates found among those aged 50 to 64. 

Vaping Among Young Adults 

While cigarette smoking is on the decline, vaping is gaining popularity, especially among younger adults. According to Gallup's data from 2022 to 2024, 18% of adults aged 18 to 29 reported vaping in the past week.  

Despite its growing popularity, vaping remains less common than cigarette smoking, with 7% of U.S. adults saying they vape.  

The Perceived Harm of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes 

The decline in cigarette smoking is likely influenced by the widespread perception of its dangers. A significant 79% of U.S. adults believe cigarettes are "very harmful" to those who use them. E-cigarettes, while perceived as less harmful than traditional cigarettes, are still viewed with caution; 57% of U.S. adults consider them "very harmful." 

Interestingly, perceptions of harm vary between users and non-users. While 58% of smokers acknowledge the harm of cigarettes, this figure rises to 80% among non-smokers. Similarly, 63% of vapers consider e-cigarettes very harmful, compared to 79% of non-vapers. This suggests that personal habits may influence perceptions of risk, even in the face of public health campaigns. 

The Role of Vaping 

The steep decline in smoking, particularly among young adults, is a positive sign for public health. Public health officials continue to advocate for nicotine-free lifestyles, emphasizing that neither smoking nor vaping is ideal. 

Yet, the shift from smoking to vaping could be seen as a step in the right direction. Research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London has found that the use of vaping products rather than smoking leads to a substantial reduction in exposure to toxicants that promote cancer, lung disease and cardiovascular disease.  

In places like Sweden smoking rates have fallen from 15% to 5.6% over the past 15 years by making alternative products widely available. According to Smoke Free Sweden’s “What would happen if adult smokers in the USA switched to nicotine vaping products?” chart 8 million deaths would be avoided, and 38.9 million life years gained. 

Conclusion 

As cigarette smoking rates continue to plummet, particularly among young adults, there is cautious optimism about the future of public health. Vaping, while still a concern, represents a less harmful alternative to smoking and may play a role in helping further reduce smoking rates.  

The declining smoking rates, especially among young adults, are a testament to the success of public health campaigns and the changing attitudes toward nicotine use. As we move forward, continued education and support for those looking to quit smoking is paramount in saving lives.