A new study predicts Iowa will have the highest smoking rate in the US by 2035, at 16%, despite a nationwide decline to 5%. Researchers from UC San Diego analyzed data from 1992-2022, showing a significant drop in smoking rates overall but slower declines in older populations. This stagnation, coupled with rising vaping rates among youth, could hinder progress in reducing lung cancer, a leading cause of death linked to smoking. Utah is projected to have the lowest smoking rate in 2035.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.