This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to smoking, vaping, and tobacco use in minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
For the latest information on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among Americans, please see Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Tobacco products encompass a wide range of products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes or vapes, cigars, hookahs, and pipe tobacco. Tobacco products are addictive because they contain nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical compound present in a tobacco plant. Using any tobacco product can lead to nicotine addiction. This is because nicotine can change the way the brain works, causing cravings for more of it. Some tobacco products, like cigarettes, are designed to deliver nicotine to the brain within seconds, making it easier to become dependent on nicotine and more difficult to quit. While nicotine naturally occurs in the tobacco plant itself, some tobacco products contain additives that may make it easier for your body to absorb more nicotine.
No tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe. Tobacco products contain many substances that can be harmful to the body and cause a range of health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, type 2 diabetes, and problems with the immune system. Quitting tobacco use is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2024, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults were 60% more likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers. In 2024, AI/AN adults were 57% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. In 2024, AI/AN adult smokers were 6% more likely than adult smokers nationwide to have tried to quit smoking in the past year. In 2023, AI/AN high school students were 11% more likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers. In 2023, AI/AN high school students were more than three times as likely as students nationwide to use smokeless tobacco.
For additional data on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2024, Asian American adults were 62% less likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers. In 2024, Asian American adults were 71% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. In 2024, Asian American adult smokers were 5% more likely than adult smokers nationwide to have tried to quit smoking in the past year. In 2023, Asian American high school students were 71% less likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers. In 2023, Asian American high school students were 9% more likely than students nationwide to use smokeless tobacco.
For additional data on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2024, Black/African American adults were 9% more likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers. In 2024, Black/African American adults were 5% more likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. In 2024, Black/African American adult smokers were 20% more likely than adult smokers nationwide to have tried to quit smoking in the past year. In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 54% less likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers. In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 12% less likely than students nationwide to use electronic vapor products.
For additional data on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among Black/African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adults were 28% less likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers. In 2023, Hispanic/Latino high school students were 29% less likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers. In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adults were 62% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. In 2024, Hispanic/Latino adult smokers were 12% more likely than adult smokers nationwide to have tried to quit smoking in the past year. In 2023, Hispanic/Latino high school students were 4% less likely than students nationwide to use electronic vapor products.
For additional data on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among Hispanics/Latinos, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2023, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) high school students were 54% less likely than students nationwide to be current cigarette smokers. In 2023, NHPI high school students were 87% more likely than students nationwide to use smokeless tobacco. From 2022 to 2024, (NHPI) adults were 3% less likely than U.S. adults overall to be current cigarette smokers. From 2022 to 2024, NHPI adults were 61% less likely than U.S. adults overall to have COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
For additional data on smoking, vaping, and tobacco use among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026