Smoking Statistics and Rates (New 2024 Findings)
With each passing day, smoking has become an epidemic, whereas exposure to second-hand smoke is contributing to a massive burden on the overall health of the population. This in turn is causing various types of cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory issues along with many other health liabilities.
As the damaging health effects of smoking are increasingly widespread, this blog aims to explore the latest 2024 smoking statistics to understand the current prevalence of smoking and its exposure on a global scale.
Contents:
– Global Key Smoking Statistics
– Prevalence In Tobacco Smoking Worldwide
– Which Country Lies On The Threshold Of Daily Smoking
– Distribution of Smokers By Gender
– Financial Repercussions of Smoking
– How e-Cigarettes Are Replacing Traditional Smoking Habits
– The Bottom Line
Global Key Smoking Statistics
– Globally, around 940 million men and 193 million women aged 15 or older are currently smoking.
– Cigarettes account for the most significant part, with a market volume of $854 billion in 2024.
– The financial strain of smoking in the United States exceeds $300 billion each year.
– According to the World Health Organization, tobacco causes the death of about 8 million people each year, including smokers and nonsmokers who absorb secondhand smoke.
– Almost 12 out of every 100 adults in the United States aged 18 and up (11.5%) currently smoke cigarettes. This means that approximately 28.3 million adults in the United States presently smoke cigarettes.
Widespread Prevalence
It is estimated that 1.13 billion persons all over the world aged 15 and above are currently smoking cigarettes, with 82.97% being men and 17.03% being women. This indicates how smoking is worryingly widespread, especially among men.
In the United States, 11.5% of persons aged 18 and above are current smokers, which corresponds to around 28.3 million adults. This highlights the persistent number of smokers in the US, significantly affecting the country’s healthcare resources.
Economic Burden
The financial consequences of smoking are enormous. The entire economic burden in the United States far exceeds $300 billion yearly. This includes medical costs, decreased earnings due to illnesses and death, and other costs connected with smoking-related health issues.
Cigarettes have the most significant share of the tobacco market, with a market volume surpassing US$854.0 billion by 2024. This points out the prevalence of global consumption of cigarettes despite rising health concerns and legislative initiatives to reduce smoking rates.
Devastating Health Consequences
The World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that using tobacco products leads to over 8 million deaths worldwide each year. This depressing number includes not only smokers but also nonsmokers who come across secondhand smoke. This underscores how the toxic smoke from cigarettes is detrimental to the overall population.
The data presents an alarming picture of the global smoking plague. While smoking rates are declining in certain regions, millions stay addicted, leading to severe health and financial implications.
Prevalence In Tobacco Smoking Worldwide
The bar chart illustrates the prevalence of tobacco smoking among individuals aged 15 years and older worldwide, segmented by sex (men and women) from 2000 to 2025.
The data highlights trends over a 25-year period, providing insights into changes in smoking behaviour among men and women.
Source: statista.com
| Year | Men (%) | Women (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 43.5% | 10.4% |
| 2005 | 39% | 8.5% |
| 2010 | 35.1% | 7.1% |
| 2015 | 31.8% | 6.1% |
| 2020 | 28.9% | 5.2% |
| 2025 | 26.4% | 4.5% |
Rate of Decline
The drop in smoking rates is more significant in the early years (2000-2010) than in the later years (2015-2025).
Male smoking prevalence reduces by 4.5 percentage points from 2000 to 2005 and 3.9 from 2015 to 2020.
Female smoking prevalence was lowered by 1.9 percentage points from 2000 to 2005 and 0.7 percentage points from 2015 to 2020.
Gender Disparity
Throughout the period, male smoking (43.5%) is considerably higher than women counterparts (10.4%).
The gender gap was 33.1 percentage points in 2000, but it is expected to narrow to 21.9 percentage points by 2025.
Discussion
This statistic reveals the global prevalence of tobacco smoking from 2000 to 2020, as well as projections for 2025 by gender.
It appears that the prevalence of tobacco smoking among men will decline from 43.5% in 2000 to 26.4% by 2025.
Nevertheless, the greater incidence of cigarette smoking among men emphasises the need for focused measures to further lower smoking rates in this cohort.
Sources: worldpopulationreview.com, singlecare.com, statista.com, cdc.gov, statista.com
Which Country Lies On The Threshold Of Daily Smoking
The bar chart displays the countries with the highest prevalence of daily smokers worldwide, highlighting the percentage of the population that smokes daily in each country.
| Country | Pecentage |
|---|---|
| Kiribati | 37% |
| Nauru | 37% |
| Papua New Guinea | 35% |
| Indonesia | 33% |
| Serbia | 33% |
| Bulgaria | 32% |
| Croatia | 31% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 30% |
| Jordan | 30% |
| Latvia | 30% |
| Cyprus | 29% |
| Solomon Islands | 29% |
| Tuvalu | 29% |
| Andorra | 28% |
| France | 28% |
| Hungary | 28% |
| Georgia | 27% |
| Greece | 27% |
| Montenegro | 27% |
| Romania | 27% |
Source: statista.com
Countries With Higher Smoking Prevalence
– Kiribati and Nauru: Both countries have the highest prevalence of daily smokers, with 37% of their populations smoking daily.
– Papua New Guinea: Slightly lower than Kiribati and Nauru, Papua New Guinea has a daily smoking rate of 35%.
– Indonesia and Serbia: Both countries show a daily smoking prevalence of 33%.
Countries with 30-32% Prevalence
– Bulgaria (32%)
-Croatia (31%)
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Latvia: Each of these countries has a daily smoking rate of 30%.
Countries with 27-29% Prevalence
– Cyprus, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu (29%)
– Andorra, France, Hungary (28%)
– Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania (27%)
| Prevalence Range | Country | Pecentage |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Prevalence | Kiribati | 37% |
| Nauru | 37% | |
| Papua New Guinea | 35% | |
| Indonesia | 33% | |
| Serbia | 33% | |
| 30-32% Prevalence | Bulgaria | 32% |
| Croatia | 31% | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 30% | |
| Jordan | 30% | |
| Latvia | 30% | |
| 27-29% Prevalence | Cyprus | 29% |
| Solomon Islands | 29% | |
| Tuvalu | 29% | |
| Andorra | 28% | |
| France | 28% | |
| Hungary | 28% | |
| Georgia | 27% | |
| Greece | 27% | |
| Montenegro | 27% | |
| Romania | 27% |
High Prevalence in Pacific Island Nations
Smoking has become common in Pacific Island Nations, including Kiribati 37%, Nauru 37%, Papua New Guinea 35%, and Tuvalu 29%. These nations have cultural and economic variables that might contribute to an elevated smoking frequency.
Eastern European and Balkan Countries
Bulgaria 32%, Serbia 33%, Croatia 31%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 30%, Latvia 30%, and Romania 27% show high daily smoking rates, reflecting a regional trend in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Southeast Asia
Indonesia has the highest smoking rate (33%), making it the only Southeast Asian country in the leading rankings. Indonesia’s massive population increases the global impact of its high smoking rate.
Western Europe
Western Europe’s highest smoking rates are in France and Hungary by 28%. This suggests that smoking behaviors persist despite considerable anti-smoking programs in the region.
Source: statista.com
Distribution of Smokers By Gender
The two pie charts display the distribution of adult smokers (aged 15+ years) by Human Development Index (HDI) categories, segmented by gender (male and female).
| HDI Range | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Low HDI | 4% | 3 |
| Medium HDI | 21% | 14% |
| High HDI | 55% | 30% |
| Very High HDI | 20% | 53% |
Source: tobaccoatlas.org
Male Smokers by HDI
– High HDI: The largest segment, indicating that 55% of male smokers come from countries with a high HDI.
– Very High HDI: 20% of male smokers are from countries with a very high HDI.
– Medium HDI: 21% of male smokers come from medium HDI countries.
– Low HDI: The smallest segment, showing that 4% of male smokers are from low HDI countries.
Female Smokers by HDI
– Very High HDI: The largest segment, indicating that 53% of female smokers come from countries with a very high HDI.
– High HDI: 30% of female smokers are from countries with a high HDI.
– Medium HDI: 14% of female smokers come from medium HDI countries.
– Low HDI: The smallest segment, showing that 3% of female smokers are from low HDI countries.
Key Insights
Most of the male smokers 55% come mainly from nations with high HDIs, higher than females 30%.
The second-largest category for both genders is from very high-HDI countries, with females being represented at slightly higher percentages (53%) than males (20%).
Medium HDI countries contribute a similar proportion of smokers for both genders, but slightly more males (21%) than females (14%).
Low HDI countries have the smallest proportion of smokers for both genders, with males at 4% and females at 3%.
Smoking Prevalence Plateaus in Developed Nations
Three-quarters of today’s male daily smokers belong to Medium- or High-HDI nations, while more than half of female daily smokers are living in very High-HDI countries.
The previously declining trend in smoking prevalence in most very high-HDI countries has halted in recent years while smoking prevalence keeps rising or remains higher in many Medium or high-HDI countries.
Male Smoking Dominance
Based on data from the WHO’s report, there is a significant gender disparity in tobacco usage globally. While the frequency among women aged 15 and older is projected to be 7.8 percent, it is nearly five times higher, at 36.7 percent, among men of the same age group.
Sources: tobaccoatlas.org, statista.com
Financial Repercussions of Smoking
The graph is based on the cost of a pack of cigarettes per day, healthcare expenses, income losses, and other expenditures associated with smoking addiction.
| State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $55,973 |
| New York | $55,911 |
| District of Columbia | $55,911 |
| Massachusetts | $54,162 |
| Rhode Island | $52,588 |
| Alaska | $49,0.18 |
| Hawaii | $48,867 |
| Minnesota | $48,848 |
| Vermont | $47,245 |
| Washington | $45,523 |
| New Jersey | $43,566 |
Along with the substantial adverse health effects, smoking can make a significant dent in your money. Tobacco use causes over half a million fatalities in the United States each year, with economic and societal expenses reaching more than $300 billion.
Connecticut has the highest annual cost for people who smoke at $55,973, followed by New York at $55,911 and Washington, D.C. at $55,167. Using cigarettes a pack a day in Connecticut will cost a heavy smoker $2.8 million in direct and associated costs throughout their lifetime.
Source: statista.com
How e-Cigarettes Are Replacing Traditional Smoking Habits
E-Cigarettes Leading Choice Among Teens
E-cigarettes have been the most favored tobacco product among youngsters since 2014.
In 2023, almost one out of every 22 middle school students (4.6%) reported using electronic cigarettes within the previous 30 days.
In 2023, one in every ten high school pupils (10.0%) reported using electronic cigarettes within the previous 30 days.
There’s a silver lining in the data on high school students in the United States, overall tobacco product use decreased from 16.5% to 12.6% between 2022 and 2023. This decline, largely attributed to e-cigarettes, resulted in 580,000 high school students using e-cigarettes in 2023.
Rage of e-cigarette use among middle and high school students
| Products | Percentages |
|---|---|
| E-cigarettes | 7.70% |
| Cigars | 1.60% |
| Cigarettes | 1.60% |
| Nicotine Pouches | 1.50% |
| Smokeless (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, or snus) | 1.20% |
Source: fda.gov
E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among middle and high school students, with 7.70% of students using them. This high rate of adoption indicates e-cigarettes’ potential to replace traditional smoking habits among the younger population.
Cigars and Cigarettes
Both cigars and traditional cigarettes have a lower prevalence, each at 1.60%. This suggests that fewer students are choosing these harmful forms of tobacco compared to e-cigarettes.
The most popular and commonly reported e-cigarette brands among youth.
| E-Cigarette Brand | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Elf Bar | 56.7% |
| Esco Bars | 21.6% |
| Vuse | 20.7% |
| Juul | 16.5% |
| MR. Fog | 13.6% |
ELF BAR Reigns Supreme
ELF BAR leads by a significant margin, accounting for over half (56.7%) of the reported e-cigarette brands youth use. This suggests that ELF BAR products have a solid appeal to this demographic.
Top 3 Control The Market
The top three brands (ELF BAR, ESCO BARS, and VUSE) collectively account for nearly 80% of the market. This trend indicates a concentration of youth users who like to use these e-cigarette brands, although on a limited range.
Shifting Landscape
JUUL, once a dominant player in the e-cigarette market, has experienced a significant decline in popularity among youth (16.5%). This shift in market dynamics is observable.
Little Popular But Still Prevalent
MR FOG, although fails to attract a significant number of teen vapers, still commands a notable 13.6% popularity among youngsters.
Young Adults Also Transitioning To Vaping
Between 2019 and 2022, only 12 percent admitted to smoking.
Smoking Rates Plummet Across Age Groups: Seniors Lead the Decline
This declining tendency isn’t restricted to Americans. Cigarette smoking rates tumbled across the board, with the 30-49 age group experiencing the second-largest downward spiral in smoking rates.
However, in 2022, the oldest respondents had the most subordinate overall rate. For the over-65s, sufficient wisdom seemed to have been acquired over the years since only 8% stated they had smoked a life-threatening cigarette in the previous week, a decrease from the 14% observed in 2001–2003.
Vaping Prevalence High Among Young Adults
While young people may be smoking fewer cigarettes, a sizable proportion appear to have just moved to another medium. Electronic cigarettes, or vaporization, are used by 19% of 18- to 29-year-olds. Vaping removes the unpleasant odor created by cigarettes, resulting in a lower risk to life.
Source: fda.gov, cdc.gov, statista
Beyond Cigarettes: Making Informed Choices
Vaping is considered a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. If you also want to avoid the negative health implications associated with smoking, then there is a cannabinoid known as Delta 8 flower, gaining immense popularity for its mild psychoactive properties.
As a sumptuous and more balanced alternative, you can also enjoy mouth-watering Delta 8 Gummies, available in assorted flavors for precise dosage. However, be sure to buy Delta 8 products or Delta 8 Carts from reputable, legitimate, and reliable sources that undergo rigorous lab testing to ensure the safety and authenticity of their products.
The Bottom Line
The use of tobacco and its prevalence fluctuate by country and demographic grouping.
Men smoke more than women in the majority of countries throughout the world, but the rate of smoking has been decreasing for both men and women and is projected to continue to decline in the coming years.
The high prevalence of traditional smoking worldwide with 940 million men and 193 million women can be rapidly replaced by the trending e-cigarettes. This is because vaping products are conceived as a more uncontroversial nicotine alternative with fewer health implications.
