This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Overall smoking rates decrease among adults, disparities in smoking prevalence persist

Since 2005, the rate of cigarette smoking among adults decreased from 20.9% to 16.8% in 2014; however, those who were uninsured or insured by Medicaid were significantly more likely to be smokers, according to recently published data.

“Smoking kills half a million Americans each year and costs more than $300 billion. This report shows real progress helping American smokers quit and that more progress is possible,” Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, said in a press release.

Tom Frieden

Researchers analyzed data from the 2014 National Health Interview Survey to assess trends in smoking among adults, aged 18 years and older, in the United States.

Results demonstrated that in 2014, 16.8% of adults smoked cigarettes, down from 20.9% in 2005. Decreases were also seen in number of cigarettes smoked per day, with 27.4% of individuals smoking 20 to 29 cigarettes per day and 6.9% smoking more than 30 cigarettes per day in 2014, compared with 34.9% and 12.7%, respectively, in 2005.   

Smoking rates were significantly higher among individuals who were insured through Medicaid (29.1%) or were uninsured (27.9%), compared with individuals who had private health insurance (12.9%) or Medicare (12.5%).

Smoking rates were lowest among adults aged 65 years and older (8.5%).

In 2014, smoking prevalence was highest among men, adults aged 25 to 44 years, American Indian/Alaska Natives, multiracial individuals, people with a GED, those living in the Midwest, those with a disability or limitation and gay, lesbian or bisexual individuals, according to the researchers.

The researchers noted that significant reductions in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality, along with savings in tobacco-related health care costs, are possible through comprehensive tobacco control interventions.

“These findings underscore the importance of ensuring that proven strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use reach the entire population, particularly vulnerable groups. Comprehensive smoke-free laws, higher prices for tobacco products, high-impact mass media campaigns, and barrier-free access to quitting help are all important. They work to reduce the enormous health and financial burden of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure among Americans,” Brian King, PhD, deputy director for research translation, CDC Office on Smoking and Health, said in the release. – by Casey Hower