Tobacco use: Kentucky 2026

• In 2024, 17.2% of adults in Kentucky smoked. Nationally, the adult cigarette smoking prevalence was 11.6%.

• In 2018-2019, 20.8% of adults who smoked in Kentucky smoked menthol cigarettes. Nationally, 32.3% of adult smokers used menthol cigarettes during this period.

• In 2023, 5.3% of high school students in Kentucky smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigarette smoking prevalence among high school students was 3.5%.

Other tobacco product use: Kentucky*

• In 2024, 10.7% of adults in Kentucky used e-cigarettes. Nationally, the adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 8.0%.

• In 2024, 5.7% of adults in Kentucky used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, the adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%.

• In 2023, 19.7% of high school students in Kentucky 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 16.8%.

• In 2023, 3.1% of high school students in Kentucky 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 2.3%.

• In 2023, 4.1% of high school students in Kentucky 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 4.5%.

Economics of tobacco use and tobacco control

• Kentucky received $383.8 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2026.

• Of this, the state allocated $4.2 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2026, 7.5% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual spending target.

• Smoking-related health care costs: $2.23 billion per year.

• Smoking-related losses in productivity: $6.3 billion per year.

Kentucky tobacco laws

Tobacco taxes

• Kentucky is ranked 38th in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $1.10 per pack (enacted July 2018), compared with the national average of $2.05. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.)

• Moist snuff is taxed at 19 cents per unit of 1.5 ounces or less. Chewing tobacco is taxed at 19 cents per each single unit, 40 cents per each half pound unit, and 65 cents per each pound unit. Closed vapor cartridges are taxed at $1.50 per cartridge. All other tobacco products are taxed at 15% of the wholesale price.

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking restrictions are required in government workplaces (prohibited in state government buildings) and smoking is prohibited in schools.

• There are no smoking restrictions in private workplaces, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, casinos/gaming establishments, or retail stores.

• The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on all properties owned or operated by the state's executive branch, in courtrooms and hallways of Hardin District Court and Christian County Justice Center, in underground mines, at body piercing and tattooing workstations, and by child care professionals in the presence of a child. The use of vapor products is prohibited on school property and in school vehicles and at all school-related trips and activities (except designated outdoor areas at secondary schools). Use of vapor-producing products are restricted at public swimming and bathing facilities and prohibited at splash pads run by local governments.

• E-cigarettes are included in the state's indoor air laws but not in the state's definition of tobacco products.

E-cigarette Registry Laws

• Effective January 1, 2025, only products from e-liquid manufacturers and alternative nicotine product manufacturers that are listed in the state directory and have provided certification of approval through the PMTA process will be allowed for sale in the state.

Licensing laws

• Wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products. Retailers are not required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.

• A license is required to sell tobacco 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.

• People under 21 are prohibited from buying alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

Quitting statistics and benefits

• The CDC estimates 47.0% of daily adult smokers in Kentucky quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.

• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required Medicaid programs cover all quit medications.

• Kentucky's state quit line invests $0.92 per smoker, compared with the national median of $2.62.

• Kentucky has a private insurance mandate provision for quitting tobacco.

Notes and references