Smoking, Vaping, and Tobacco Use and Black/African Americans
Note: The information and data on this page focus on commercial tobacco products sold by tobacco companies. It does include information on traditional tobacco used by some American Indians for ceremonial, prayer, or medicinal purposes.
Tobacco products encompass a wide range of products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes or vapes, cigars, hookahs, and pipe tobacco. Tobacco products are addictive because they contain nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound present in a tobacco plant. Using any tobacco product can lead to nicotine addiction. This is because nicotine can change the way the brain works, causing cravings for more of it. Some tobacco products, like cigarettes, are designed to deliver nicotine to the brain within seconds, making it easier to become dependent on nicotine and more difficult to quit. While nicotine naturally occurs in the tobacco plant itself, some tobacco products contain additives that may make it easier for your body to absorb more nicotine.
No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe. Tobacco products contain many substances that can be harmful to the body and cause a range of health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, type 2 diabetes, and problems with the immune system. Quitting tobacco use is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health.
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 9% more likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers.
In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 54% less likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers.
In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 12% less likely than students nationwide to use electronic vapor products.
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 5% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
In 2024, Black/African American adult smokers were 20% more likely than adult smokers nationwide to have tried to quit smoking in the past year.
