This indicator shows the percentage of adults who currently smoke cigarettes.
Why is this important?
Tobacco is the agent most responsible for avoidable illness and death in America today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use brings premature death to almost half a million Americans each year, and it contributes to profound disability and pain in many others. The World Health Organization states that approximately one-third of all tobacco users in this country will die prematurely because of their dependence on tobacco. Areas with a high smoking prevalence will also have greater exposure to secondhand smoke for non-smokers, which can cause or exacerbate a wide range of adverse health effects such as cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma.
CDC - PLACES Data source for Census Places, Census Tracts Note: This source uses Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) for its Zip Code data. Learn more
More Details
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Technical Note
Sub-county small area estimates use state and county data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in tandem with demographic data for census tracts and cities. It is not appropriate to use this data for evaluation purposes.
Health / Tobacco Use, Health / Respiratory Diseases, Health Behaviors, Adults
Note: Data for this indicator was obtained from multiple sources. Please interpret with caution as methodology may differ.
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
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Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Redis bad,
Greenis good,
Blueis not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time;
significant change over time;
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
meets target; 
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
non-significant change over time;
no change over time.
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
Better than the overall value.
Worse than the overall value.
Similar to the overall value.
No confidence interval data available.