Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, causing more than 480,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and leading to higher long-term health costs. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease both among smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke.

In 2024, 16% of adults reported being smokers, down 9 percentage points from 2014, but 4 points above the national rate. That makes Arkansas 49th in the nation on this indicator, including the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Smoking rates were higher among men (18%) than women (15%), and similar among White and Black adults (both 17%). Rates were higher among American Indian or Alaskan Natives, non-Hispanics, (28%) a small group in Arkansas. In general, smoking rates have decreased steadily since 2011.

Smoking rates varied greatly by county in 2023, the latest year for which county comparable data was available. Rates were highest in Hempstead and Howard counties (both at 23%). The lowest rates were in Benton and Washington counties, both at 8%.

National data comes from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey designed to collect scientific data on health risks and behaviors.