Top Stories from United States of America
14.1% of the adult population are current smokers
There are approximately 39.8 million current smokers in United States
17.1% of men are current smokers but only 11.1% of women
Country profile
Data sourced:
2025.
Page updated:
2026-06-16
Smoking in United States
The overall smoking prevalence in the United States has been decreasing since 2006. 12.4% of the adult population are current smokers, down from 20.8% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 30.7 million people smoking in the country. 13.81% of men smoke whilst 10.77% of women are current smokers.
The most recent data show there were 492,438 annual deaths attributable to tobacco smoking (approximately 221,600 women and 270,800 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 17.9% (women: 16.2%; and men: 19.3%).
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in the United States and there are 9.1 million vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 3.7% (women: 2.77%; and men: 4.55%). Vaping devices can only be sold to those 18 and older and can be purchased without a prescription. Health warnings are required on packaging and there are legal restrictions on their use in public places.
Heated tobacco products are legal and can be marketed. Snus is also legal, but it can only be used by those aged 21 and older and a health warning on packaging is required.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can be marketed and are available to buy in many general shops without a prescription. The NRT market in the United States is worth €862.3 million.
For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
360,370
Deaths
In United States, 360,370 people die each year due to tobacco smoking.
862.3 million €
Market size of NRT.
862.3 million € is the estimated market size of NRT.
Nicotine Vaping Devices
in United States
In the United States, regulations around e-cigarettes vary by state. Generally, based on federal laws, these products are allowed and regulated as tobacco products. Regulations include requirements for child-resistant and tamperproof containers, and health warnings on packaging. All e-cigarette packaging must display the statement: “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.” There is no federal minimum age restriction on sales, although many states set their own age limits, typically 21 years.
Statistics show that e-cigarette use is widespread in the United States. As of 2020, there were an estimated 9.1 million current vapers in the country. The adult current vaping prevalence was estimated to be 4.5% as of 2021, and this was 4% among women and 5.1% among men. Around 4.3 million people were daily vapers as of 2020, and the adult daily vaping prevalence was reported to be 1.33%. Daily vaping prevalence was slightly higher among adult men (1.74%) compared to adult women (0.99%). Overall, 17% of people in the U.S. reported having ever tried an e-cigarette in 2020. Public perception of harm by e-cigarettes varies — in 2017, 36.4% of adults believed e-cigarettes were equally as harmful as cigarettes, 33.9% considered them less harmful, 4.3% viewed them as more harmful, and 25.3% had no idea about it.
Heated Tobacco Products
in United States
In the United Sates of America (USA), heated tobacco products (HTPs) are regulated as tobacco products and are allowed. They can be legally sold and used. However, the law requires health warnings on their packaging and puts restrictions on their flavours.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
in United States
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is legally allowed in the United States of America. This includes the sale and purchase of NRT products without a prescription from general stores. Notably, NRT products are not included on the country’s essential drugs list, but the government fully covers NRT cost. The market size of NRT products in the United States was estimated to be 862.3 million € in 2019.
Snus
in United States
Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.
Pouches
in United States
Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team.
However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice.
We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product
categories can change at short notice and with little publicity.
If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region,
you should verify the information independently.
If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details
and any references and we will rectify any errors.