CDC: Almost 20 percent of U.S. adults currently use tobacco products

(HealthDay)—In 2018, 19.7 percent of U.S. adults reported currently using any tobacco products, according to research published in the Nov. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

MeLisa R. Creamer, Ph.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey to assess national estimates of tobacco product use among U.S. adults.

The researchers found that an estimated 49.1 million U.S. adults (19.7 percent) reported currently using any tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and pipes (13.7, 3.9, 3.2, 2.4, and 1.0 percent, respectively). Overall, 83.8 percent of tobacco product users reported using combustible products and 18.8 percent reported use of two or more tobacco products. Increased prevalence of any current tobacco use was seen for men; adults aged ≤65 years; non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives; those with a General Educational Development certificate; those with an annual household income <$35,000; lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults; uninsured adults; those with a disability or limitation; and those with serious psychological distress. During 2017 to 2018, the prevalence of e-cigarette and smokeless tobacco use increased. Significant increases in all three cigarette cessation indicators (quit attempts, recent cessation, and quit ratio) were reported during 2009 to 2018.

"Coordinated efforts at the local, state, and national levels are needed to continue progress toward reducing tobacco-related disease and death in the United States," the authors write.

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