How Many People Die From Smoking? Tobacco Chart (2025)

Despite its dangers, smoking still remains prevalent in the United States. It’s no secret that smoking is harmful, but many people don’t understand the full extent of the destruction it can cause.

So where does tobacco rank among the preventable causes of death in the United States? Here’s a closer look at tobacco statistics and the ongoing fight against the dangers of smoking.

Investigating the Deaths From Smoking Statistics

How many people die from smoking each year? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans annually. The number of American tobacco-related deaths per year from 1990 to 2021 fluctuated, but overall, it shows an upward trend.

Starting with 369,590 deaths in 1990, the numbers slightly increased in the early '90s, peaking at 377,683 in 1995. A hopeful decline followed, dropping to 334,380 by 2010, indicating the positive impact of anti-smoking campaigns and tobacco control measures.

While smoking deaths remain disconcertingly high, there is some hope. Recent research suggests that because fewer people are picking up smoking, the U.S. is likely to see a steady decline in smoking-related deaths by the 2030s.

Where Does Tobacco Rank Among the Preventable Causes of Death in the United States?

The CDC notes that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death—and preventable disease—in the United States. Tobacco statistics indicate that some populations tend to be more likely to smoke than others. For example, people with lower levels of education, lower incomes and higher levels of psychological distress may be more likely to smoke.

Smoking causes preventable deaths in a number of different ways. People who smoke may be more likely to suffer several life-threatening health conditions, such as:

• Stroke
• Cancer
• Emphysema
• Heart disease

Not everyone who smokes will suffer from these conditions, and many people who have never smoked may eventually develop them. Still, anyone can reduce their risk of early death by stopping smoking or choosing not to start smoking.

The Persistent Challenge of Tobacco Deaths

The ongoing high number of deaths from tobacco use also shows how hard it is to stop smoking. Even after many years of fighting tobacco use, the increasing number of deaths shows how addictive nicotine is and how tough it can be to quit.

This problem highlights the need for new public health approaches, including better programs to help people stop smoking, stricter rules on tobacco sales and education to prevent young people from starting to smoke.

It also raises legal issues regarding the marketing of tobacco by manufacturers that may have known of the dangers posed by their products.

Rights of Families That Lost Loved Ones to Smoking

The question, "How many people die from smoking each year?" serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done in the fight against tobacco. One effective tool has been tobacco litigation. These lawsuits allege that manufacturers hid the dangers of tobacco products.

Defective product cases involve strict liability, which does not require proof that the manufacturer intended to harm consumers — only that the companies failed to warn consumers of a known hazard.

Although plaintiffs do not need to prove intent, evidence suggests that tobacco companies misled consumers about the number of smoking deaths per year. Specifically, the industry denied links between smoking and fatal diseases. It also falsely promoted low-tar, light and filtered cigarettes as safe alternatives.

The result of these product liability law cases was a settlement fund for states but not individuals. To receive a tobacco settlement payout for your loved one’s death, you must sue the tobacco companies by filing a class action lawsuit or an individual lawsuit.

Specifically, your lawsuit would allege product liability because the company’s defective and dangerous tobacco products caused your family member to die from lung disease, cancer or another smoking-related condition. A skilled product liability attorney can discuss your case with you and help you decide the best course of action to take.

Learn More About Your Legal Rights From ConsumerShield

How many people die from smoking each year? The impact of smoking on health worldwide is a critical problem with hundreds of thousands of annual deaths. However, smoking also touches individual families.

You may have legal rights, and ConsumerShield can connect you with a personal injury lawyer who can explain your options. Contact us for a free case evaluation.