Adult Tobacco and Nicotine Product Use

Purpose

To monitor and identify patterns that exist among in Rhode Island adults who use tobacco and nicotine products to inform who is most at-risk for tobacco-related health issues using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Key Information

Trends in cigarette smoking for adults age 18 have decreased in the last decade. Currently, about 1 in 10 Rhode Island adults smokes cigarettes. This rate is higher in some groups.

Related Data

Rhode Island Numbers 2012-2021

Overall Prevalence

By Gender

Smoking rates were similar for men and women.

By Age

Fewer older adults smoke cigarettes than younger adults.

By Race / Ethnicity

The smoking rates were similar among white, black and Hispanic adults.

By Income

Current smoking decreased with increasing income.
Smoking prevalence was significantly higher among adults with annual household incomes less than $25K.

By Education Level

Current smoking decreased with increasing education.
Adults with less than a high school education were significantly more likely to be smokers.

Definitions

Current smoking: Adults who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes (5 packs) in their life and now smoke either every day, or on some days.