2016 California Tobacco Facts and Figures
March 2, 2020
March 2, 2020
(Updated figures Summer 2019)
Smoking prevalence in California has steadily declined since the comprehensive tobacco control program began in 1989. Adult smoking prevalence in California declined by 51.1% between 1988 and 2014, from 23.7% to 11.6% (Figure 1.1); this drop represents approximately 3.3 million fewer adult smokers in California. The decline in prevalence was most pronounced during the early years of California Tobacco Control Program. California has the second lowest adult smoking prevalence rate in the United States, second only to Utah.
Check out the interactive infograph that tells the CA Story.
The California Facts & Figures Report (2016) is a comprehensive review of tobacco-related data across the state of California. The report includes data on smoking prevalence, tobacco consumption, secondhand smoke exposure, cancer incidence and mortality, tobacco industry spending, and smoking cessation.
Click here to see the 2016 California Tobacco Facts & Figures Report
The California Facts & Figures Report (2016) is a comprehensive review of tobacco-related data across the state of California. The report includes data on smoking prevalence, tobacco consumption, secondhand smoke exposure, cancer incidence and mortality, tobacco industry spending, and smoking cessation.
BACKGROUND
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Tobacco Control Program (CTCP) was established in 1989, after California voters passed the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act (California Proposition 99) in November of 1988. As the longest running comprehensive tobacco control program in the nation, CTCP seeks to change tobacco use norms in the larger physical and social environment and to create an environment in which tobacco use becomes less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible.1 Declines in cigarette consumption and smoking prevalence in California are attributed to the success of the media campaign and state and community interventions.2
PURPOSE
California Tobacco Facts and Figures 2016 serves as a quick reference on the current status of tobacco use in California and progress over time.
CA adult smoking rates have dropped by more than 50% since the California Tobacco Control Program began in 1989.
DATA SOURCES
Several data sources are used in the report. Each data source is based on a different survey or surveillance tool, and therefore may report slightly different rates. However, these differences are not statistically significant and represent the most accurate and complete picture of California to the best of our knowledge. Some of the major data sources used include: