Smoking Statistics

Cigarette, cigar, and pipe-smoking are so debilitating that the immediate cessation of the habit is always the first step of any program to improve one's health - even more important than vitamins, diet, or exercise.

International studies of millions of people by government, industry, universities, and private research institutions have determined that smoking can cause.

Cigarette smoking is the most significant preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders. Find out more about general statistics on smoking.

In the United States, an estimated 25.1 million men (23.4 percent) and 20.9 million women (18.5 percent) are smokers. These people are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. The latest estimates for people age 18 and older show...

Among non-Hispanic whites, 24.1 percent of men and 20.4 percent of women smoke (2004). Among non-Hispanic blacks, 23.9 percent of men and 17.2 percent of women smoke. Among Hispanics, 18.9 percent of men and 10.9 percent of women smoke. Among Asians (only), 17.8 percent of men and 4.8 percent of women smoke. Among American Indians/Alaska Natives, 37.3 percent of men and 28.5 percent of women smoke.

Studies show that smoking prevalence is higher among those who had earned a GED diploma (39.6 percent) and among those with 9-11 years of education (34.0 percent) compared with those with more than 16 years of education (8.0 percent). It's highest among persons living below the poverty level (29.1 percent).

Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Diseases

Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. It accounts for nearly 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders. These include fatty buildups in arteries, several types of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (lung problems).