Nicotine Addiction Statistics

Nicotine Overview

Nicotine is found in tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and electronic cigarettes. It triggers the release of dopamine and is highly addictive.

Nicotine is commonly used to manage stress and cravings, but long-term use creates an increased risk of heart disease, lung conditions, and nicotine dependence.

How Many People Are Addicted to Nicotine in the U.S.?

In 2020, about 23.6 million Americans aged 12 and older were dependent on nicotine. This means around 8.5% of the U.S. population had a nicotine addiction during that time.

While the overall rate of nicotine addiction has gone down, older adults, especially those 50 and up, are more likely to be affected, particularly if they have a history of substance use or depression. Young people ages 18 to 25 also continue to have high rates of nicotine dependence.

Nicotine Addiction Rates in the U.S. vs. Other Nations

Nicotine addiction varies between countries. While in the U.S., 18.7% of adults used tobacco products in 2021, almost a quarter of the world’s population is addicted to nicotine products like cigarettes.

Key global nicotine addiction statistics include:

• 23% of the global population is addicted to cigarettes.
• Eastern and Southeast Asia have the highest smoking rates at 45%.
• North America and the Caribbean have the lowest smoking prevalence at 20%.
• Smoking has fallen by over 40% in some high-income countries.
• Smoking in Latin America, including Brazil, has dropped by 70% since 1990.
• In low- and middle-income countries, smoking rates remain high, with over 50% of men in regions like China and Indonesia continuing to smoke.

Statistics on Nicotine Use by Substance

Nicotine use takes many forms, from traditional cigarettes to newer e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

While nicotine is a legal substance, it’s often misused, particularly by minors or individuals who buy it without proper identification.

Because of the serious morbidity issues associated with nicotine, any use is often viewed as harmful, blurring the line between use and abuse.

Tobacco Use Rates

Globally, there are around 1.25 billion adult tobacco users. The good news is tobacco use has been steadily declining, with about one in five adults worldwide consuming tobacco today, compared to one in three in 2000.

Over 150 countries have implemented successful tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use. In a 2021 U.S. report, cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product, followed by cigars (3.5%), smokeless tobacco (2.1%), and pipes (0.9%).

Vaping Use Rates

E-cigarette use has been on the rise among adults, with 4.5% of U.S. adults reporting vaping in 2021, compared to 3.7% the year before. The highest rates are seen in young adults ages 18-24.

However, while use has increased among adults, a positive trend is emerging among adolescents. In 2023, 7.7% of students (2.13 million) reported vaping, which fell to 5.9% (1.63 million) in 2024.

Cigarette Use Rates

Cigarette use among U.S. adults continues to decline. In 2021, 11.5% of adults reported smoking, down from 12.5% in 2020.

While this downward trend is positive, cigarettes are still one of the most commonly used tobacco products, with millions of Americans still struggling with cigarette smoking.

Nicotine Addiction Statistics by Demographic

Many demographic differences can cause someone to develop a nicotine addiction. Race, age, gender, and socioeconomic status are all factors that affect the likelihood of someone becoming addicted.

Gender and Nicotine Use

Men are more likely to use nicotine products than women. In the U.S., 24% of men and 14% of women reported using some form of tobacco in recent years.

Historically, men have used tobacco products at higher rates, but smoking prevalence has been declining for both genders. Since 1990, smoking rates for men have dropped by 27%, and for women, the decline is even more pronounced at 8%.

Age and Nicotine Use

In the U.S., smoking rates tend to be highest among young adults. In 2021, around 17% of adults ages 18 to 24 and 22% of those ages 25 to 44 used tobacco products. Older adults reported lower usage, with 21% of adults ages 45 to 64 and just 11% of those aged 65 and older smoking.

Nicotine use typically begins at a young age. The report of the Surgeon General shows that most people who smoke started as high school students before turning 18. The majority of these begin smoking regularly by their early 20s.

Race and Nicotine Use

Nicotine use differs significantly across racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.

Here’s a breakdown of smoking prevalence among different groups:

• American Indians/Alaska Natives: 22% reported being a smoker
• African Americans: 17% were smokers, with 77% of smokers using menthol cigarettes
• Non-Hispanic Whites: 17% of the population studied smoked
• Hispanics: 10% identified as smokers
• Asian Americans: 7% were smokers, with much lower rates among women

Socioeconomic Factors and Nicotine Use

Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in nicotine use and dependence. Adults with lower income and education levels tend to have higher rates of smoking and nicotine addiction.

Key socioeconomic findings suggest:

• Adults with incomes under $20,000 were significantly more likely to experience nicotine dependence than those earning over $75,000.
• Nicotine dependence was higher among adults with part-time employment compared to those with full-time employment.
• Lower educational attainment is linked to higher smoking rates. 18- to 25-year-olds with no high school diploma were 136% more likely to be dependent than those with a college degree.

Statistics on Effects of Nicotine Use

Nicotine use, particularly high nicotine levels, has significant health effects, while tobacco is a major cause of preventable death worldwide.

Key statistics on the effects of nicotine product use include: 

• High mortality rate: Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit, with more than 8 million deaths per year and 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Increased heart rate from nicotine use: Nicotine raises heart rate by 7 beats per minute on average, leading to higher blood pressure and cardiovascular strain.
• Leading cause of addiction-related deaths: Nicotine addiction leads to 480,000 fatalities in the U.S. each year, with more casualties than all other addictions combined.
• Higher quit rates with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): Patches, lozenges, and varenicline, combined with behavioral interventions, see initial quit rates of 40% to 60%.
• Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms usually start within 24 hours of stopping nicotine use and fade away over three to four weeks.

Find Support for Nicotine Addiction Now

Overcoming a nicotine addiction is hard, but with the right health care, recovery is within reach. Smoking cessation drastically reduces your health risks while improving your mental health.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

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• Fact-Checked
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Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.