Percentage of smokers

In 2025, the percentage of smokers in the United States is estimated to reach 10.7%. This indicates a continuation of the steady downward trend observed since the late 1990s. The decline in smoking prevalence has been driven by growing public aversion to cigarettes, widespread public health campaigns, and the implementation of more restrictive legislation regulating smoking in both public and private spaces. Major metropolitan areas have enacted comprehensive smoking bans in restaurants, bars, and other public locations, reducing both the social acceptability and convenience of smoking.

Over the five years to 2025, the percentage of smokers has fallen from 12.5% in 2020 to 10.7%, representing a decrease of 1.8 percentage points. This period has been characterized by sustained efforts at the federal, state, and local levels to control tobacco use, including increasing tobacco taxes and tougher restrictions on advertising and sales. Public awareness initiatives detailing the health risks of smoking have reinforced these policies. During this time, deviations from the long-term downward trend were minimal. In 2020 and 2021, smoking rates declined at a significantly faster pace than in previous years, as the increased mortality risk COVID-19 posed to smokers likely drove a larger share of the population to give up smoking. However, these sharp declines in smoking were followed by slight increases in 2022 and 2023, as the average rate of decline regressed towards the slower long-term reduction trend observed prior to the pandemic. Additional macroeconomic factors, such as higher disposable incomes and increased educational attainment, have supported health-conscious consumer behaviors, including lower smoking rates.

By 2025, the cumulative impact of these government interventions, public health messaging, and broader socioeconomic changes has resulted in a marked decline in smoking rates. The continued publishing of research regarding the risks associated with smoking, alongside expanded access to cessation services, has further deterred smoking initiation. Policymakers' ongoing focus on regulating cigarette availability and promoting preventative health measures has been integral to maintaining and accelerating the decrease in smoking prevalence.