Since the first Surgeon General’s report on smoking and health was
released in 1964, cigarette smoking among U.S. adults has declined
from nearly 43% to a low of nearly 14% in 2018. Despite this progress,
smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death
in the U.S. Additionally, smoking-related illnesses continue to cost
the nation more than $300 billion every year.
To find out more information about smoking cessation and the role of payers,
check out the CDC’s fact sheet on the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking Cessation.