Tobacco Product Use Among Adults - United States, 2020.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional national survey (by design analogy, non-clinical CEBM)
PubMed 35298455 · doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7111a1
What was done
CDC analyzed data from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess national estimates of commercial tobacco product use (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes) among U.S. adults aged 18 years or older.
What was found
In 2020, 19.0% of U.S. adults (estimated 47.1 million) reported current commercial tobacco product use: cigarettes (12.5%), e-cigarettes (3.7%), cigars (3.5%), smokeless tobacco (2.3%), and pipes (1.1%). Among current users, 79.6% used combustible products and 17.3% used two or more products. From 2019 to 2020, overall tobacco use, combustible use, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and polytobacco use decreased. Prevalence was higher among men, adults aged <65 years, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and 'Other' race adults, rural residents, GED holders, individuals with household income <$35,000, lesbian/gay/bisexual adults, uninsured/Medicaid recipients, adults with disabilities, and individuals with regular feelings of anxiety or depression.
Why it matters
Provides updated national surveillance on tobacco use trends and highlights persistent demographic and socioeconomic disparities requiring targeted intervention strategies.
Limits
The total sample size (n) is not reported in the abstract. Data rely entirely on self-reported commercial tobacco use rather than biochemical validation, and the cross-sectional design cannot establish causality or individual trajectories over time.
Cited by
- supports Between 80% and 85% of the US population does not smoke.