Every year on May 31st the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes World No Tobacco Day.
WHO began the initiative in 1987 to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use. The international campaign targets smokers, urging them to quit, while also drawing attention to the harmful business practices of the world’s mega-tobacco companies.
To observe World No Tobacco Day, LouisianaBets.com broke away from Louisiana sports betting and decided to see how the Pelican State compares to the rest of America when it comes to cigarette smoking and tobacco use.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR), Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable and Expire in 7 Days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Breakdown of Adult Smokers in United States
Below we have ranked the U.S. states based on their smoking rate. Our data comes from the CDC’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (CDC - 2021 BRFSS Survey Data and Documentation). The rankings were determined by the percentage of adults who reported “smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke daily or some days.”
| Rank | State | % of Adult Smokers |
| 1 | Utah | 7.2 |
| 2 | California | 8.92 |
| T3 | Hawaii | 10.1 |
| T3 | Maryland | 10.1 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 10.6 |
| T6 | New Jersey | 10.7 |
| T6 | Washington | 10.7 |
| 8 | Connecticut | 11.1 |
| T9 | Colorado | 12.0 |
| T9 | Illinois | 12.0 |
| T9 | New York | 12.0 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 12.3 |
| T13 | Oregon | 12.4 |
| T13 | Rhode Island | 12.4 |
| T13 | Virginia | 12.4 |
| T16 | Arizona | 13.1 |
| T16 | Texas | 13.1 |
| T18 | Idaho | 13.3 |
| T18 | New Mexico | 13.3 |
| T18 | Wisconsin | 13.3 |
| T21 | Delaware | 13.4 |
| T21 | Minnesota | 13.4 |
| T21 | Nebraska | 13.4 |
| T24 | Montana | 14.4 |
| T24 | North Carolina | 14.4 |
| T24 | Pennsylvania | 14.4 |
| 27 | Iowa | 14.6 |
| 28 | Vermont | 14.8 |
| T29 | Georgia | 15.0 |
| T29 | North Dakota | 15.0 |
| 31 | South Dakota | 15.3 |
| T32 | Nevada | 15.5 |
| T32 | South Carolina | 15.5 |
| T34 | Kansas | 15.6 |
| T34 | Maine | 15.6 |
| 36 | Wyoming | 16.4 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | 16.9 |
| 38 | Michigan | 17.0 |
| 39 | Arkansas | 17.1 |
| 40 | Alabama | 17.2 |
| T41 | Indiana | 17.3 |
| T41 | Missouri | 17.3 |
| 43 | Ohio | 18.0 |
| 44 | Louisiana | 19.5 |
| T45 | Kentucky | 19.6 |
| T45 | Mississippi | 19.6 |
| 47 | Tennessee | 19.7 |
| 48 | Arkansas | 21.1 |
| 49 | West Virginia | 22.0 |
|
Bookmark our Louisiana sports betting promos page to get the best and latest deals.
Must be 21+ to participate. Terms and conditions apply.
Nearly Twenty Percent of Louisiana Adults Smoke
Based on these results, the smoking problem in Louisiana is dire, with nearly twenty percent of the adult population being smokers. That’s well above the 11.5% national average in the U.S.
The numbers are even more concerning regarding the youth smoking rate. While the national average of high school smokers is 2%, 7% of teens in Louisiana smoke cigarettes. The gap is even larger when you consider e-cigarette use. 14.% of high schoolers vape nationally, but within the Louisiana borders that number leaps to 25.5% — meaning at least 1 in every 4 high school students in the state use e-cigarettes.
Overall, it’s estimated that smoking-related health care costs are $1.89 billion within the state of Louisiana, and 7,200 adults die each year as a result of their tobacco use.
If these statistics concern you, then consider beginning your smoke-free journey this May 31st for World No Tobacco Day. For those you have tried to quit in the past, but failed, you’re not alone. Over half of Louisiana smokers have unsuccessfully tried to kick the habit at some point in the past.
For extra support, try reaching out to the state’s Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for free resources and counseling.
Bet on yourself and quit smoking today.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new Sportsbook customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: dkng.co/offer. Get 1 promo code to redeem a 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings. Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Ends 11/29/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Author
Jeff Parker is an entertainment writer for LouisianaBets.com. A writer for film, television and the internet, Jeff is a life long movie buff, with a Masters Degree in Popular Culture. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he works full time as documentary filmmaker and producer.
