Tobacco use in Vermont 2023

• In 2022, 13.0% of adults smoked. Nationally, adult smoking prevalencewas 14.0%.1
• In 2021, 5.4% of high school students in Vermont smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, smoking prevalence among high school students was 3.8%.2

• In 2022, 6.2% of adults in Vermont used e-cigarettes. Nationally, adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 7.7%.1
• In 2022, 2.9% of adults in Vermont used smokeless tobacco every day or somedays. Nationally, adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%.1
• In 2021, 16.1% of high school students in Vermont 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%.2
• In 2021, 2.8% of high school students in Vermont 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%.2
• In 2021, 3.0% of high school students in Vermont 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%.2

• Vermont received $104.4 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2023.4
• Of this, the state allocated $2.7 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2023, 32% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual spending target.4
• Smoking-caused health care costs: $404 million per year.4
• Smoking-caused losses in productivity: $576.2 million per year.5

• Vermont is ranked 9th in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $3.08 per pack (enacted July 2015), compared to the national average of $1.93. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.)6-8
• Little cigars are taxed at 15.4 cents per cigar.
• Roll-your-own tobacco is taxed at $3.08 per 0.0325 ounces.
• Snuff is taxed at $2.57 per ounce.
• New smokeless tobacco is taxed at $2.57 per ounce, or if sold in a package weighing less than 1.2 ounces, $3.08 per package.
• Cigars with a wholesale price greater than $2.17 and less than $10 are taxed at $2 per cigar. Cigars with a wholesale price of $10 or more are taxed at $4 per cigar.
• All other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are taxed at 92% of the wholesale price.6,7

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking is prohibited in government workplaces, private workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, retail stores and recreational/cultural facilities.6,7
• E-cigarettes are included in the state’s clean indoor air law. Vape shops are exempt.9

Licensing laws

• Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.6
• Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell e-cigarette products.9

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 minors are prohibited.6
• Minors are prohibited from buying bidis and/or tobacco substitutes, including e-cigarettes.6
• Self-service displays are restricted to locations inaccessible to persons under 21.9
• Mail and phone orders and internet sales of tobacco substitutes and nicotine-containing substances is restricted to sales to licensed wholesalers and retailers.9

• The CDC estimates 46.5% of daily adult smokers in Vermont quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.3
• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required that Medicaid programs cover all tobacco cessation medications.7**
• Vermont’s state quit line invests $6.24 per smoker, compared to the national median of $2.37.7
• Vermont has a private insurance mandate provision for cessation.7

Updated June 2023

*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, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2023.

2.         CDC, Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System, 2021.

3.         CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, 2023.

4.         Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Broken Promises to Our Children: a State-by-State Look at the 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 24 Years Later FY2023, 2023.

5.         Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Toll of Tobacco in the United States.

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

7.         American Lung Association, State of Tobacco Control, 2023.

8.         Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. State Cigarette Excise Tax Rates & Rankings. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0097.pdf. Accessed October 4th, 2023.

9.         Public Health Law Center. U.S. E-Cigarette Regulation: 50-State Review. http://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/us-e-cigarette-regulations-50-state-review. Accessed October 4th, 2023.