Health and Family

Smoking

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Smoking

Smoking exacts a terrible toll in lives and health and carries a severe economic price tag. The prevalence of smoking in Virginia has steadily dropped since 2002 and is now below the national average, but much work is still needed.

Why is This Important?

Smoking Rates by State. See text for explanation.

Smoking can result in a number of health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, reproductive troubles, and increased infant mortality. According to a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year in the United States nearly 450,000 people die of a smoking-related illness, resulting in 5.1 million years of potential life lost, $96 billion in direct medical costs, and $96.8 billion in lost productivity.

How is Virginia Doing?

Smoking Rate by Age. See text for explanation.

In 2008, Virginia's smoking rate of 16.4 percent of adults was below the national average of 18.3 percent. This is down from 24.6 percent in 2002, but still well above Utah's 9.3 percent, the lowest rate in the nation. In 2008, Virginia had the 11th lowest smoking rate among the states. The percent of people smoking in Virginia in 2008 was lower than in Tennessee (23.1%) and North Carolina (20.9%), but higher than in Maryland (14.9%).

What Influences Smoking?

Smoking Rate by Education Level. See text for explanation.

The smoking rate tends to vary by age, income, and education level. In 2008, smoking prevalence was highest in Virginia among those aged 45-54 and 18-24 (19.3 percent) and lowest among those aged 65 and older (9.3 percent). Adults who had not completed high school had the highest smoking rate (28 percent). In 2008, only 11.2 percent of people with incomes of $50,000 or more smoked, while 37.4 percent of people with incomes less than $15,000 smoked.

What is the State's Role?

Smoking by Income Level in Virginia. See text for explanation.

The state can influence smoking behaviors in a variety of ways:

  • increase taxes on tobacco products and smoking bans in proscribed areas
  • create public education programs about the risks of tobacco use
  • support smoking cessation programs
  • mobilize communities to identify and reduce the commercial availability of tobacco products to youth
  • place restrictions on advertising aimed at young people.

Page last modified June 24, 2009
Smoking Rate by State Smoking Rate by Age Smoking Rate by Education LevelSmoking Rate by Income Level

Data and Definitions

(updated annually in May)

See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Virginia Performs.

At a Glance:
Smoking Rates in Virginia

Performance Trend: Trend is improving.
State Influence:   significant

National Ranking:  At 16.4%, Virginia's 2008 smoking rate is the 11th lowest among the states and better than the national average.

Related Agency Measures
State Programs & Initiatives

The Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF), established in 1999 with partial funding from the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement, leads smoking prevention efforts statewide.

The Tobacco Use Cessation Project works closely with coalitions, health districts and other partners to reduce tobacco use and provide support services for those looking to quit.


Additional Information

There are scores of public and private resources to help people quit smoking -- a move which has many critical and lasting health benefits. New medications are also proving quite effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and even blocking the effects of nicotine should the user resume smoking. 

A partial list: