While smoking rates have declined over the past several decades, tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable death and disease in the USA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 34.1 million adults in the USA currently smoke cigarettes.

Tobacco use is associated with a range of serious health risks, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, and numerous other cancers. Second hand smoke exposure is also harmful to nonsmokers and can cause various health problems.

Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. Nicotine addiction can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.

Despite efforts to prevent youth tobacco use, it remains a concern. According to the CDC, in 2020, about 4.54 million middle and high school students in the USA reported current use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes.

The use of e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, has become increasingly popular among both youth and adults in recent years. While some people use e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid, concerns have been raised about the potential health risks and addictiveness of these products, particularly among young people.

The USA has implemented various tobacco control measures to reduce smoking rates and prevent tobacco-related health problems. These efforts include tobacco taxes, smoke-free laws, public education campaigns, tobacco advertising restrictions, and access to cessation resources.

Quitting smoking is challenging, but support and resources are available to help individuals quit. These include nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches and gum), prescription medications, counseling, support groups, and quit lines.

Tobacco use disproportionately affects certain populations, including those with lower socioeconomic status, certain racial and ethnic groups, individuals with mental health conditions, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Addressing these disparities is important for reducing the overall burden of tobacco-related disease and death.