Cigarette and Tobacco Product Use

Course Summary

The CDC reported in March of 2022 that tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Close to 40 million U.S. adults smoke cigarettes, and it is estimated that 2.55 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Research has identified a range of factors that influence patterns of smoking. These include low income, nicotine exposure as a child, stress, anxiety and depression, peer example, and intense marketing of tobacco products. Population groups with higher smoking rates are more likely to be in environments where smoking is the norm and environments that are pro-smoking influence the uptake of smoking, smoking patterns, and quitting intentions.