Tobacco Use among US Adults—United States, 2012–2013

June 27, 2014 / Vol. 63 / No. 25

MMWR Introduction

Findings from the National Adult Tobacco Survey showed that 21.3% of US adults reported using a tobacco product every day or some days during 2012–2013, and 25.2% reported using a tobacco product every day, some days, or rarely. In addition, researchers found that 19.2% of adults reported using a combustible tobacco product, such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, every day or some days during 2012–2013, and 22.9% of adults reported using a combustible tobacco product every day, some days, or rarely. Despite significant declines in cigarette smoking rates among adults in the United States during the past 50 years, progress has slowed in recent years, and the use of other tobacco products, such as cigars and smokeless tobacco, has not changed. In addition, the use of emerging products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), has rapidly increased.

These findings highlight the need to continue using the proven, population-based interventions for preventing and reducing tobacco use, which are outlined in the 50th Anniversary Surgeon General's report and the World Health Organization's MPOWER package. Effective interventions include the following: increasing the price of tobacco products; implementing and enforcing comprehensive, smoke-free laws; using high-impact, antismoking media campaigns to warn people about the dangers of tobacco use; and helping people quit by increasing access to programs for quitting tobacco use.