The y-axis on this graph measures prevalence from 0% to 60%, and the x-axis shows time in years, 1965 at the 0 point, then in 10-year intervals from 1970 to 2020. Curves show the prevalence of smoking for 4 groups of people: Black men, Black women, White men, and White women. 

Black Males: Smoking Prevalence from 1965 to 2023

In 1965, the smoking prevalence of Black males was just under 60%, and in 2023, the prevalence was less than 20%. 

Consistent declines in smoking prevalence occurred across these years:

• 59% to 54% decrease from 1965 to about 1974
• 54% to 44% decrease from 1974 to about 1979
• 44% to 40% decrease from about 1979 to about 1985
• 40% to 33% decrease from about 1985 to 1990
• 33% to 26% decrease from 1990 to 2000
• 26% to 23% decrease from 2000 to 2010

From 2010 to 2020, there were small increases and decreases in smoking prevalence for Black males: 

• A 20% steady prevalence, from about 2016 to 2018
• 20% to 14% sharp decline around 2018 to 2021
• 14% to 18% sharp increase around 2022
• 18% to 15% decrease in 2023

White Males: Smoking Prevalence from 1965 to 2023

In 1965, the smoking prevalence of White males was 50%, and in 2023, the prevalence was about 13%.

Consistent declines in smoking prevalence occurred across these years: 

• 50% to 28% decrease from 1965 to 1990
• 28% to 25% decrease from 1990 to 2000
• 25% to 21% decrease from 2000 to 2010
• 22% to 17%, a sharp decrease, from 2010 to about 2012

From around 2012 to 2020, there were small increases and decreases in smoking prevalence for White males:

• 17% to 18% small, brief increase from 2012 to 2013
• A 20% steady prevalence from 2013 to 2018
• 20% to 18% decline from 2018 to 2019
• A 15% steady prevalence from 2019 to 2020
• 15% to 13% decrease from 2020 to 2023

White Females: Smoking Prevalence from 1965 to 2023 

In 1965, the smoking prevalence for White females was about 34%, and in 2023, it was about 11%. 

Consistent declines in smoking prevalence for White females occurred across the years, but they were more moderate/less sharp compared to decreases in male prevalence.

• 34% to 28% decrease from 1965 to 1985
• 28% to 24% decrease from 1985 to 1990
• A 24% steady prevalence from 1990 to 2000
• 24% to 22% decrease from 2000 to 2005 
• 21% to 19% slow decrease from 2005 to 2010
• A 19% steady prevalence from 2005 to 2010 

From 2010 to 2023, there were small increases and decreases in smoking prevalence as part of the decline from 23% to about 15%. In 2014, there was a slight increase to 19%, but by 2023, the prevalence rate had decreased to 13%. 

Black Females: Smoking Prevalence from 1965 to 2023 

In 1965, the smoking prevalence for Black females was about 32%, and in 2023, it had declined to 9%. 

There were sharp up-and-down cycles of smoking prevalence from 1965 to about 1990, sometimes rising above the prevalence for White females. 

From 1965 to about 1974, prevalence rose from 32% to 36%.

From 1974 to 1979, prevalence declined from 36% to 31%.

From 1979 to about 1985, prevalence remained steady at 31%.

From 1985 to 1990, prevalence dropped from 31% to 21%, where it leveled off until almost 2000.

From 2000 to 2001 prevalence declined from 21% to 18%, where it stayed until 2011, when it declined to about 15%.

From 2010 to 2023, the prevalence had blips up and down. From 2020 to 2022, the rate increased from 10% to about 11% but was back to 9% in 2023.