Smoking Rates Plummet Among Gen Z, But Influencers Threaten to Reignite the Trend

According to data from the CDC and FDA, smoking rates in the U.S. have reached historic lows as of 2024, with only 11.9% of the population overall reporting smoking. This significant decline over the past 20 years is considered a major public health success story.

However, some experts now fear that the "cool factor" associated with smoking may be making a comeback, potentially hooking a new generation on the habit. Certain social media influencers, such as the Instagram account @Cigfluencers, have been posting photos of celebrities smoking, with captions like "SMOKING HOT!" This normalization of smoking on popular platforms is concerning, as research shows that adolescents and young adults who engage with such content are more likely to start using tobacco products.

Adding to the worries, the U.S. has also seen a surge in vaping rates among young people, particularly with the rise of the JUUL brand in 2019. While vaping may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, experts warn that some young adults may eventually transition from e-cigarettes to smoking tobacco, potentially reversing the progress made in reducing smoking rates.

Overall, the decline in smoking across the country is a significant achievement, but public health officials must remain vigilant to ensure that this positive trend continues and that a new generation is not lured back to the harmful habit.