Cigarette smoking dips below 10%. The CDC didn’t tell you

The latest data on smoking rates among U.S. adults has revealed a significant milestone – the cigarette smoking rate has dropped below 10% for the first time in recorded history. This information was not initially released by the U.S. government, but rather through an analysis conducted by Israel Agaku, the founder and CEO of research technology company Chisquares, and published in the digital journal NEJM Evidence.

Due to federal budget cuts that impacted the Office of Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, independent researchers like Agaku are now stepping in to fill the void left by the government. The data, collected from the National Health Interview Survey, showed that 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, down from 10.8% in the previous year. While this decrease is a positive development, it is important to note that approximately 25 million Americans still smoke cigarettes.

The analysis also revealed disparities in smoking rates among different populations, with higher rates observed among those with lower levels of education, individuals with disabilities, and residents of rural areas. Despite the overall decline in cigarette smoking, it is crucial to address these disparities and provide support for tobacco use prevention and cessation efforts.

The data indicates that the U.S. is on track to achieve the government’s goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 6.1% by 2030. However, the absence of government-led analysis and publication of these findings poses a challenge in ensuring that the results are effectively communicated and acted upon by policymakers. While independent researchers like Agaku are able to analyze the data, there is a lack of institutional support and resources that government agencies like the CDC once provided.

Moving forward, it is essential for public health initiatives to address persistent disparities in smoking rates and to establish a federal infrastructure to support tobacco control efforts. While independent analyses can provide valuable insights, the impact of these findings may not carry the same weight as government-led reports. Collaborative efforts between researchers, institutions, and government agencies are necessary to continue the progress in reducing tobacco use and improving public health outcomes.