More Americans now smoke cannabis than traditional cigarettes, according to the latest Gallup Consumption Habits poll. This shift comes as more than half of U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis, altering the landscape of American consumer habits at the expense of alcohol and tobacco industries.
Cannabis Consumption Reaches Historic Highs as Cigarettes Decline
The July 2024 poll of 1,200 U.S. adults shows that 17% of Americans smoke cannabis, a figure that has more than doubled over the last decade. In contrast, cigarette smoking has plummeted to just 11%, down from 25% two decades ago.
This transition aligns with federal data showing rising cannabis use alongside falling alcohol and tobacco consumption. In 2024, researchers recorded Americans choosing cannabis over alcohol for daily consumption for the first time in history. Alcohol consumption also dropped, with 54% of respondents reporting drinking, compared to 67% in 2022.
Demographics of Modern Cannabis and Nicotine Users
Gallup's data reveals distinct demographic patterns among cannabis users. The typical consumer is a male under 50, without a college degree, earning under $50,000 annually. However, women are slightly more likely than men to consume cannabis edibles and outpace men in the $100,000-or-more household-income bracket. Currently, 15% of U.S. adults consume cannabis edibles.
| Substance Type | U.S. Adult Consumption Rate (%) | Primary Demographic Group |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 54% | General adult population (declining from 67% in 2022) |
| Cannabis (Smoking) | 17% | Men aged 18 to 49, lower income bracket |
| Cannabis (Edibles) | 15% | Women, higher income bracket ($100,000+) |
| Cigarettes | 11% | Adults aged 30 to 49 |
| E-Cigarettes (Vaping) | 6% - 9% | Young adults aged 18 to 29 |
| Nicotine Pouches | 4% | Men (7%), adults aged 30 to 49 (7%) |
Generational Preferences Define Nicotine Consumption
The poll highlights a clear generational divide in how Americans consume nicotine. Traditional cigarettes remain the preference for adults aged 30 to 49, whereas vaping is most popular among those aged 18 to 29.
Nicotine pouches, a newer product category placed between the lip and gum, have captured 4% of the total adult market. This category shows a stark gender and age split, attracting 7% of men compared to just 1% of women, with the highest usage among adults aged 30 to 49.
