Smoking in United States of America
In the United States of America, smoking is allowed but tobacco products should follow some regulations. Under these regulations, health warnings on tobacco packaging including cigarettes are mandatory, the minimum legal age for their sales is 21 years, and there are no federal legal restrictions on smoking in public places. While tobacco advertising is regulated, not all forms of their advertising are banned. An excise tax of 32.16% with a total taxation rate of 37.36% is applied on cigarettes. Cigarettes can legally be sold with authorised documents. They may also be purchased through vending machines as well as through online channels. Importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with an appropriate import license. Despite these control measures, prevalence data show that smoking remains an important public health issue in the United States. There were 39.8 million current smokers in the country in 2024. This represents an overall adult smoking prevalence of 14.1%, with higher prevalence among men (17.1%) than among women (11.1%). In comparison, the overall current smoking prevalence was 12.3% in 2022. The adult daily smoking prevalence was recorded to be 10.01% in 2020. Smoking-related mortality also remains significant in the country. In 2021, smoking resulted in 360,370 deaths, including 216,986 male deaths and 143,383 female deaths. This shows that smoking accounted for 10.38% of all deaths in the United States in 2021, with a higher rate among men (11.9%) than among women (8.7%).
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May 21, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
FDA vape row erupts as US smoking falls
Growing tensions around US vaping regulation are emerging alongside continued declines in cigarette smoking prevalence. Critics argue that ongoing restrictions on reduced-risk nicotine products may conflict with broader public health goals if they discourage smokers from switching away from combustible tobacco. At the same time, regulators continue to face pressure over youth nicotine use, flavored products, and the rapid expansion of illicit vape markets. The debate reflects wider disagreements over how public health agencies should balance harm reduction, risk communication, and precautionary regulation in nicotine policy.
May 19, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
FDA’s first fruit-flavoured vape approval exposes the flaw in America’s anti-flavour policy
The FDA authorized fruit-flavored vapes from Glas Inc, marking a shift in nicotine policy. While the decision aims to reduce youth use, critics argue it exposes regulatory failures in the US. By approving only a few products, the FDA highlights contradictions in the system, favoring cigarettes over legal vapes. Approved products use age-restricted technology, but critics warn the legal market remains too limited against the booming illicit market. Critics advocate for reforms to allow more diverse vape options for adult smokers and combat illicit trade effectively. The approval signifies a pivotal moment in nicotine policy, raising concerns about unintended consequences and the need for a more comprehensive regulatory framework.
May 15, 2026 by substack.com
The Makary Resignation and the Media’s Nicotine Blind Spot
The coverage of Marty Makary's resignation highlights media incentives and vaping policy. The narrative focuses on Trump's alleged influence on flavored vape approvals while neglecting data showing declining youth vaping rates and youth smoking during the vaping era. Makary's stance against political pressure was emphasized, overshadowing scientific nuances. The media portrayed any support for flavored vapes as corrupt, ignoring their potential harm reduction benefits. The text raises concerns about media bias and incomplete reporting, urging for a more comprehensive approach to policy decisions, including considering all evidence and complexities. Ignoring conflicting data and focusing on preferred narratives can lead to flawed public health policies.
May 14, 2026 by clearingtheair.eu
94% of smokers wrongly believe vaping is as harmful as cigarettes, new US study finds
Public understanding of the relative risks of nicotine products appears to be moving further away from current scientific evidence. A growing proportion of smokers now believe that vaping is as harmful as — or even more harmful than — combustible cigarettes, despite multiple studies indicating substantially lower exposure to toxicants in non-combustible products. Researchers warn that these misperceptions may discourage smokers from switching away from cigarettes, which remain the leading cause of tobacco-related disease and death. The findings also highlight the increasing impact of misinformation, media narratives, and risk communication failures on public health behaviour.
May 13, 2026 by 2firsts.com
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns After Opposing Trump Administration’s Flavored Vape Push
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned due to opposition to fruit-flavored vapes and clashes with various groups. The White House pressured FDA for wider vape approvals. Makary's concerns included appeal to youth. Controversies during his tenure included Covid vaccine memo and staffing disruptions. FDA's latest actions include approving fruit-flavored vapes and easing marketing rules. Acting commissioner is FDA food chief Kyle Diamantas. Makary's exit may impact U.S. vape regulation amid debates on harm reduction and youth usage prevention. The future of flavored vapes and nicotine products will be influenced by government, public health, and industry dynamics.
May 13, 2026 by 2firsts.com
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns After Opposing Trump Administration’s Flavored Vape Push
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned due to opposition to fruit-flavored vapes and clashes with various groups. The White House pressured FDA for wider vape approvals. Makary's concerns included appeal to youth. Controversies during his tenure included Covid vaccine memo and staffing disruptions. FDA's latest actions include approving fruit-flavored vapes and easing marketing rules. Acting commissioner is FDA food chief Kyle Diamantas. Makary's exit may impact U.S. vape regulation amid debates on harm reduction and youth usage prevention. The future of flavored vapes and nicotine products will be influenced by government, public health, and industry dynamics.
May 13, 2026 by reason.com
Marty Makary's Irrational Resistance to Flavored Nicotine Vapes Drove His FDA Resignation
Resistance to flavoured nicotine products appears to have played a central role in the resignation of former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Marty Makary. Reports suggest that growing tensions within the Trump administration intensified after Makary opposed or delayed approval of certain flavoured vaping products. The dispute reflected wider divisions over how vaping should be regulated, particularly around balancing youth protection with harm reduction for adult smokers. Critics of Makary argued that excessive caution was limiting access to regulated alternatives that could help reduce cigarette use. Supporters, however, maintained that concerns over youth appeal and long-term health effects justified stricter oversight of flavoured products. The controversy highlights the increasingly political nature of nicotine regulation in the United States, where scientific, commercial and ideological pressures continue to collide.
May 12, 2026 by statnews.com
No FDA permission, no problem: New flavored vape policy worries experts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is facing growing scrutiny after introducing new guidance that eases enforcement against some unauthorised vaping and nicotine products currently under review. Critics argue that the policy could allow more flavoured products to remain on the market without formal authorisation, raising concerns about industry influence and political pressure. The shift comes shortly after the FDA authorised fruit-flavoured vape products for the first time in the United States, signalling a significant change in the agency’s regulatory approach. Supporters of the move argue that regulated flavoured alternatives may help adult smokers switch away from cigarettes, particularly when combined with strict age-verification technology. At the same time, public health experts warn that loosening oversight could increase youth appeal and weaken confidence in the FDA’s scientific independence.
The debate reflects broader tensions between harm reduction, political influence and youth protection in shaping future nicotine policy in the United States.
May 12, 2026 by marijuanamoment.net
Congressional Committee Directs DEA To Crack Down On Unregulated Cannabis Products That ‘Threaten Consumer Safety’
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve a report directing the DEA and FDA to address unregulated cannabinoid products threatening consumer safety. The directive also targets money laundering schemes linked to Chinese-connected illegal marijuana businesses and proposes wastewater surveillance in federal prisons. The report is part of a spending bill covering various agencies and responds to concerns regarding the proliferation of intoxicating cannabinoids. Additionally, the legislation blocks the rescheduling of cannabis and protects state medical cannabis programs. The House is focusing on health risks from cannabis products and research on psychedelics, while a separate bill aids industrial hemp producers. Future legislation may allow military veterans access to medical marijuana recommendations.
May 12, 2026 by aol.com
Texas court says nicotine pouches are tobacco products
A Texas court has ruled that nicotine pouches cannot automatically be treated the same as traditional smokeless tobacco products under existing state law. The decision centres on how these products are legally defined, particularly as nicotine pouches contain no tobacco leaf despite delivering nicotine. The ruling could have broader implications for taxation, regulation and how alternative nicotine products are classified across the United States. Critics of stricter regulation argue that treating tobacco-free nicotine products identically to cigarettes or chewing tobacco ignores important differences in risk profiles. The case reflects the growing legal and policy debate over how newer nicotine alternatives should fit within frameworks originally designed for combustible or traditional tobacco products.