CNN — Residents of 12 states in the South and Midwest are more likely to smoke – and to smoke more – than people living in the rest of the United States, according to a new report.
Truth Initiative, a nonprofit focused on ending tobacco use, has dubbed that group of states “Tobacco Nation,” a region that spans Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia.
US cigarette smoking rate falls to historic low, but e-cigarette use keeps climbing
This group of states is home to about 21% of the US population but 28% of smokers in the country.
Overall, smoking prevalence is about 50% higher there than in the rest of the US. About 19% of adults smoke in this group of states, compared with about 13% of adults in other states.
A similar pattern holds among young adults. About 11% of adults under 25 in these states smoke, compared with less than 8% in other states. Teenagers in these states are also more likely to smoke.
Smoking prevalence has been consistently higher than average among these 12 states since Truth Initiative’s first report on the topic five years ago.
According to Truth Initiative, much of the disparity can be attributed to weaker local policy on tobacco prevention and cessation, particularly due to industry influence and lack of political will from decision-makers.
For example, federal data shows that the share of adults who smoke fell to a historic low in 2022, but e-cigarettes grew in popularity. To battle this trend, hundreds of local governments have enacted laws that restrict the sale of flavored tobacco – but only three of them have been within the 12 states with higher smoking prevalence.
The latest report from Truth Initiative, published last week, also shows that people in these 12 states who smoke tend to do so significantly more than smokers in other states … READ MORE.
Cigarette Taxes In 12 States With Highest Rates Of Smoking
State, tax per pack, tax rank:
- Oklahoma, $2.03, 18th
- Michigan, $2.00, 19th
- National Average, $1.91 per pack
- Ohio, $1.60, 29th
- West Virginia, $1.20, 35th
- Arkansas, $1.15, 36th
- Kentucky, $1.10, 37th
- Louisiana, $1.08, 38th
- Indiana, $0.995, 39th
- Mississippi, $0.68, 40th
- Alabama, $0.675, 41st
- Tennessee, $0.62, 43rd
- Missouri, $0.17, 50th
