Smoking Rate Among US Adults Drops to Record Low as Vape Use Rises: CDC

New report shows cigarette smoking continues to decline while e-cigarette use increases, especially among young adults.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 8:27pm

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According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the smoking rate among U.S. adults has dropped to a record low of nearly 10% in 2024, down from about 11% in 2023. However, the report also found that e-cigarette use has risen, with 7% of American adults using vaping products in 2024, up from 6.5% in 2023 and nearly double the 3.7% who reported using e-cigarettes in 2020.

Why it matters

The decline in cigarette smoking is the result of decades of public health efforts to educate people about the dangers of smoking. However, the rise in vaping, especially among young adults, raises concerns as the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still unknown. The report highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing harm reduction through vaping with the potential risks of nicotine addiction and other unknown consequences.

The details

The CDC report found that those living in rural areas were more likely to smoke cigarettes, with over 15% of non-metropolitan residents reporting cigarette use compared to city dwellers. Meanwhile, the report showed that 7% of American adults used e-cigarettes in 2024, a slight uptick from 6.5% in 2023. Vaping patterns also mirrored cigarette use, with 9.2% of rural residents reporting e-cigarette use compared to 6.1% in urban areas. The report noted that young adults aged 18-24 had the highest prevalence of e-cigarette use.

  • The CDC report was published on March 26, 2026.
  • The smoking rate among U.S. adults was nearly 10% in 2024, down from about 11% in 2023.
  • E-cigarette use among U.S. adults was 7% in 2024, up from 6.5% in 2023 and 3.7% in 2020.

The players

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The leading national public health institute in the United States that conducts research and provides information to the public about health-related topics.

Dr. Maria Rahmandar

Medical director of the substance use & prevention program in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Thomas Carr

Director of national policy at the American Lung Association.

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What they’re saying

“Decreased cigarette use is certainly in line with decades of trends and really hard work on the part of public health and education folks to get the word out about how awful cigarettes are and how deadly they are.”

— Dr. Maria Rahmandar, Medical director of the substance use & prevention program in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

“I think we had a shot [at] the first tobacco‑free generation prior to e‑cigarettes coming onto the market. Unfortunately, it's kind of derailed that progress.”

— Thomas Carr, Director of national policy at the American Lung Association

The takeaway

While the decline in cigarette smoking is a positive public health development, the rise in vaping, especially among young adults, presents new challenges. Policymakers and public health officials will need to continue their efforts to educate the public about the potential risks of e-cigarettes and find ways to balance harm reduction with preventing nicotine addiction and other unknown long-term consequences.