Oregon smoking rates were 11% in 2024, down over eight years even as adult vaping reached 8.8%, according to an Oregon Health Authority evaluation released October 7, 2026. The report tracks cigarette sales, youth nicotine use and retailer inspections, showing how lower smoking prevalence has coincided with uneven changes across products and populations.
Key Takeaways
- Adult cigarette smoking fell from 17.1% in 2016 to 11% in 2024, below Oregon’s 13.3% goal
- Adult e-cigarette use doubled from 4.4% to 8.8% over the same period
- Among 11th graders, 9% reported vaping in 2024, while 2.8% reported smoking cigarettes
- Annual cigarette sales fell from 38.3 to 21 packs per resident between 2016 and 2024
Oregon met or exceeded all three cigarette-reduction goals in its 2017–2025 plan, the state health authority said. Yet adult e-cigarette use was much closer to cigarette smoking prevalence in 2024 than it had been in 2016. The figures cover overlapping groups because some people may both smoke and vape.
State epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger called the reductions “meaningful progress” in the October 7 announcement. He also said not everyone in Oregon had benefited equally and identified the rapidly changing nicotine market as an area requiring continued attention. The findings primarily reflect data through 2024 rather than measured behavior in 2026.
Oregon Smoking Rates Reach 11% as Cigarette Sales Fall
The proportion of Oregon adults who smoked cigarettes fell from 17.1% in 2016 to 11% in 2024, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The latest rate matched the 2023 figure, so the study does not show a year-over-year decrease. It was nevertheless below the state’s target of 13.3%.
Cigarette purchases showed another decline. Oregon’s annual sales measure dropped from 38.3 packs per resident in 2016 to 21 packs in 2024, compared with a target of 34 or fewer. This measure divides total cigarette packs sold by the population and does not describe the habits of a typical individual smoker.
The evaluation examined these changes alongside a higher minimum tobacco purchasing age, tax changes and the requirement that tobacco retailers obtain licenses. Those measures took effect in 2018, 2021 and 2022, respectively. State researchers cautioned that trends occurring during the same period do not prove the measures caused the changes.
The findings draw on several sources, including adult and student health surveys and tobacco sales data. Differences in the sources and survey methods limit some comparisons, particularly those involving students over multiple years.
Teen Vaping Remains More Common Than Cigarette Smoking
In the 2024 Student Health Survey, 2.8% of Oregon 11th graders reported smoking cigarettes during the preceding 30 days, down from 8.8% in 2015. Among eighth graders, current cigarette use declined from 4.3% to 1% over the same period.
Electronic cigarettes remained more common. Nine percent of 11th graders and 4.1% of eighth graders reported vaping during the previous month in 2024. Those figures were lower than in 2019, when 21.4% of 11th graders and 10.6% of eighth graders reported current e-cigarette use.
Overall tobacco product use in 2024 stood at 9.8% among 11th graders and 4.3% among eighth graders. Because some students may use multiple products, these overall rates should not be added to the cigarette and vaping percentages.
Survey responses also suggested that some students still considered vaping products easy to obtain. In 2024, 17.6% of 11th graders said e-cigarettes were very easy to access, compared with 10.7% who said the same about cigarettes. The answers measured perceived availability rather than documented sales to minors.
The Oregon Health Authority also issued separate wildfire smoke guidance for youth during 2026, addressing outdoor activities and air quality rather than nicotine use. Both updates concern youth health, but they track different types of exposure.
Adult Vaping Doubles Despite a Recent Decline
Adult e-cigarette use increased from 4.4% in 2016 to 9.4% in 2023, before easing to 8.8% in 2024. The measure includes adults who used e-cigarettes every day or on some days. Despite that recent decline, the 2024 level remained twice the share reported eight years earlier.
The figures do not establish how many adults moved from cigarettes to vaping or how many used both products. The cigarette and e-cigarette survey rates therefore should not be treated as separate, nonoverlapping populations.
Retail data illustrate a similar pattern with a different measure. Standardized e-cigarette unit sales increased from 49 per resident in 2019 to 77 in 2022, then fell to 68 in 2024. For counting purposes, a unit could mean five prefilled cartridges, one disposable device or one bottle of e-liquid.
The sales series excludes vape shops and online retailers, so it cannot account for every purchase. It also measures units sold rather than the number of people who vape or the quantity of nicotine they consumed.
Income Gaps Persist as More Smokers Report Wanting to Quit
The statewide average concealed sizable differences by income and education. In 2024, 22.5% of adults in households earning less than $25,000 reported smoking, compared with 7.7% of adults in households earning at least $100,000. Smoking was also reported by 22.4% of adults without a high school diploma and 4.3% of college graduates.
These differences are descriptive rather than explanations for why use varies between groups. Local health equity initiatives have separately examined differences in access to care and preventive services, although the tobacco evaluation does not identify the causes of its demographic gaps.
Interest in quitting remained widespread. The evaluation found that 69.8% of adults who smoked said they wanted to quit in 2024. About half reported that they had stopped smoking for at least one day in the past year because they were trying to quit. A one-day attempt is not equivalent to long-term cessation.
Retail compliance figures offer another view of access. Oregon recorded 3,840 licensed tobacco retailers in 2024. Violations of minimum-age sales requirements among inspected retailers declined from 25.6% in 2022 to 14.7% in 2024, while checks for photo identification increased from 88.6% to 92.8%. The inspection results do not represent the purchasing experiences of underage residents.
The Oregon Quit Line provides free telephone and online counseling for people seeking to stop using tobacco or nicotine products. The service is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Young people seeking help to stop vaping can text DITCHJUUL to 88709 for the This is Quitting program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Oregon smoking rates in 2024?
Oregon smoking rates stood at 11% among adults in 2024, compared with 17.1% in 2016. The 2024 rate matched the previous year’s figure and was below the state goal of 13.3%.
How much did adult vaping increase in Oregon?
Adult e-cigarette use rose from 4.4% in 2016 to 8.8% in 2024. It reached 9.4% in 2023 before declining in the following year.
Was vaping more common than smoking among Oregon teens?
Yes, vaping was more common than cigarette smoking among surveyed Oregon students in 2024. Among 11th graders, 9% reported vaping in the previous month, compared with 2.8% who reported smoking cigarettes.
How did Oregon cigarette sales change?
Annual cigarette sales decreased from 38.3 packs per resident in 2016 to 21 packs in 2024. That fell below the state goal of 34 packs or fewer per resident.
What did tobacco retailer inspections show?
Minimum-age sales violations among inspected tobacco retailers fell from 25.6% in 2022 to 14.7% in 2024. The figures describe inspected retailers rather than every store in Oregon.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available data from the Oregon Health Authority and other official sources. Statistics reflect the reporting periods cited and may change as new information becomes available. The content does not constitute medical advice. Individuals seeking guidance on smoking, vaping, nicotine use, or cessation should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
