The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office of Smoking and Health released an article today titled “Adult Smoking Cessation—United States, 2022” in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The study utilized data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey to reveal significant insights into smoking cessation in the United States.
American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer commented on the findings: "This article uses data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey and revealed critical information about smoking cessation in the U.S. This is important because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in our country."
Wimmer emphasized that the survey's results highlight a pressing need for regulatory changes: "This article underscores the urgent need to finalize lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, improve access to quit smoking resources, and ensure that quit smoking resources are culturally appropriate."
For the first time, respondents were specifically asked if they smoked menthol cigarettes. The survey found that individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes are more inclined to want to quit—72.2% expressed a desire to quit compared to 65.4% of non-menthol cigarette smokers. However, 48.2% of menthol cigarette smokers reported not receiving advice from healthcare providers about quitting, and only 35.2% used proven methods to aid their cessation efforts.
"This article reveals serious health equity challenges that need to be overcome to help everyone who smokes quit for good," Wimmer stated.
Research indicates that menthol cigarettes facilitate both initiation and continuation of smoking habits. Over 15 million people currently smoke menthol cigarettes, with usage rates highest among Black and Brown communities as well as within lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations.
Wimmer urged action based on these findings: "The new CDC report provides further support that President Biden must finalize lifesaving rules to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars in the U.S. before he leaves office." He also called for improvements within the healthcare system: "The U.S. healthcare system must improve efforts to help people quit smoking by ensuring healthcare providers speak to their patients about quitting, offer proven quit smoking help, and make sure all quit smoking materials are culturally appropriate."
"The American Lung Association will use this valuable data to continue advocating for proven tobacco control policies," Wimmer concluded, "and to help people quit smoking for good through our proven methods, including our Freedom From Smoking program."
