Tobacco use: Georgia 2026

Cigarette use: Georgia*

• In 2024, 11.2% of adults in Georgia smoked. Nationally, the adult cigarette smoking prevalence was 11.6%.
• In 2018-2019, 39.3% of adults who smoked in Georgia smoked menthol cigarettes. Nationally, 32.3% of adult smokers used menthol cigarettes during this period.
• In 2021, 3.3% of high school students in Georgia smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigarette smoking prevalence among high school students was 3.8%.

Other tobacco product use: Georgia*

• In 2024, 7.6% of adults in Georgia used e-cigarettes. Nationally, the adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 8.0%.
• In 2024, 3.1% of adults in Georgia used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%.
• In 2021, 18.2% of high school students in Georgia used electronic vapor products on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 18.0%.
• In 2021, 2.5% of high school students in Georgia used chewing tobacco, snuff or dip on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the smokeless tobacco use prevalence among high school students was 2.5%.
• In 2021, 3.6% of high school students in Georgia smoked cigars, cigarillos or little cigars on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigar use prevalence among high school students was 3.1%.

Economics of tobacco use and tobacco control

• Georgia received $357.4 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2026. 
• Of this, the state allocated $2.1 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2026, just 2% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual spending target.  
• Smoking-related health care costs: $3.69 billion per year.  
• Smoking-related losses in productivity: $10 billion per year.

Georgia tobacco laws

Tobacco taxes

• Georgia is ranked 50th in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $0.37 per pack (enacted July 2003), compared to the national average $2.05. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents). 
• Loose or smokeless tobacco is taxed at 10% of the wholesale cost price. Little cigars are taxed at 5 cents per pack of 20 cigars. All other cigars are taxed at 23% of the manufacturer’s list price. Consumable vapor products in a closed system are taxed at 5 cents per milliliter, and consumable vapor products in an open system or vapor devices containing consumable vapor product at the time of sale and not designed or intended to be reused or refilled are taxed at 7% of the wholesale cost price.

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking is prohibited in all government workplaces, schools, and childcare facilities.
• Smoking restrictions are required in private workplaces, restaurants, bars, and retail stores.  
• The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in the same places smoking is prohibited including, but not limited to, enclosed public spaces and enclosed areas of work with some exemptions. Use of electronic devices that simulate tobacco smoking is prohibited by food service employees at work, except in designated areas.
• Knowing use of vapor products within a school safety zone is prohibited.
• E-cigarettes are included in the state’s indoor air laws and the state’s definition of smoking but are not included in the state’s definition of tobacco products.

Licensing laws

• Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell cigarettes, cigars, loose and/or smokeless tobacco, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products. Retailers and wholesalers are not required to obtain a license to sell other tobacco products.  
• A license is required to sell, manufacture, and distribute e-cigarette products.  

Youth access laws

• In December 2019, the United States adopted a law raising the federal minimum age of sale of all tobacco products to 21, effective immediately.
• Establishments are required to post signs stating that sales to people under 21 are prohibited.
• The sale of alternative nicotine products to people under 21 is prohibited.  
• The sale of vapor products to and purchase/possession/receipt of vapor products, including e-cigarettes, by persons under age 21 is prohibited.
• The distribution of free vapor products on public property, within 500 feet of a playground or school, or to persons under the age of 21 is prohibited.
• The delivery sales of vapor products must be made by someone at least 21 years of age after a background check, to a person who is in person to receive it and is at least 21 years of age.

Local tobacco laws

• Watkinsville prohibits the sale of flavored vaping products. Mint and menthol flavored vaping products are exempt.
• Doraville prohibits smoking and vaping within 20 feet of an entrance to several public places and residential common areas, including apartments, condominiums and townhomes. Violators can face a fine between $50 and $100.Gwinnett County also prohibits smoking in public spaces, except private residences (except when used as a licensed child care, adult daycare, or health care facility), hookah/vapor bars or lounges, and cigar bars and lounges.

Quitting statistics and benefits

• The CDC estimates 56.8% of daily adult smokers in Georgia quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.
• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required all Medicaid programs cover all quit medications.
• Georgia’s quit line invests $0.79 per smoker; compared to the national median of $2.62. 
• Georgia does not have a private insurance mandate for quitting tobacco.

Notes and references

Updated March 2026

* The datasets for both adults and youth prevalence were used to make direct comparisons at the state and national levels. National prevalence reported here may differ from what is reported in our national-level fact sheets. The numbers here also reflect the most recent data available. Dates of available data may differ across state fact sheets.  

** The seven recommended cessation medications are NRT gum, NRT patch, NRT nasal spray, NRT inhaler, NRT lozenge, Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban).  

Fiore MC, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service: May 2008.

1.    CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

2.    CDC. (2024). State Menthol Fact Sheets.

3.    CDC. (2021). High School Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System.

4.    Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State Look at the 1998 Tobacco Settlement 27 Years Later. (2026). Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what-we-do/us/statereport

5.    Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). The Toll of Tobacco in the United States. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

6.    American Lung Association. (2024). State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI).

7.    American Lung Association. (2026). State of Tobacco Control. https://www.lung.org/research/sotc

8.    Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). State Cigarette Excise Tax Rates & Rankings. https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0097.pdf

9.    American Lung Association. (2024). State of Tobacco Control.

10.    Public Health Law Center. (2024, June 15). U.S. E-Cigarette Regulations: 50 State Review. https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/us-e-cigarette-regulations-50-state-review

11.    FDA. (2024). Tobacco 21. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21

12.    Truth Initiative. (2024, June 30). Local restrictions on flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/local-restrictions-flavored-tobacco-and-e-cigarette

13.    CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation Syste