Tobacco use in Georgia 2023

• In 2022, 12.5% of adults in Georgia smoked. Nationally, adult smoking prevalence was 14.01
• In 2021, 3.3% of high school students in Georgia 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, 7.7% of adults in Georgia used e-cigarettes. Nationally, adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 7.7%.1
• In 2022, 3.3% of adults in Georgia used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%1
• 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, e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 18%.2
• 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, smokeless tobacco use prevalence among high school students was 2.5%.2
• 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, cigar use prevalence among high school students was 3.1%.2

• Georgia received $ 412.3 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2022.4
• Of this, the state allocated $2.1 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2022, just 2% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual spending target.4
• Smoking-related health care costs: $3.69 billion per year.4
• Smoking-related losses in productivity: $10 billion per year.5

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 $1.93. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.) 6-8
• 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.6,7

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking is prohibited in all government workplaces, schools, childcare facilities and recreational/cultural facilities.7
• Smoking restrictions are required in private workplaces, restaurants, bars and retail stores.7
• The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited by food service employees at work, except in designated areas.9
• Knowing use of vapor products within a school safety zone is prohibited.9

Licensing laws

• Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell cigarettes, cigars, loose and/or smokeless tobacco. Retailers and wholesalers are not required to obtain a license to sell other tobacco products.6
• A license is required to sell, manufacture, and distribute 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.6,7
• The sale of alternative nicotine products to minors is prohibited.6,7
• The sale of vapor products to and purchase/possession/receipt of vapor products, including e-cigarettes, by persons under age 21 is prohibited.9
• 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.9
• 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.9

Local tobacco laws

• Watkinsville prohibits the sale of flavored vaping products. Mint and menthol flavored vaping products are exempt.10
• 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.10

• The CDC estimates 56.8% of daily adult smokers in Georgia quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.3
• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required all Medicaid programs cover all quit medications.7**
• Georgia’s quit line invests $1.01 per smoker; compared to the national median of $2.37.7
• Georgia does not have a private insurance mandate for quitting tobacco.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, 2022.

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.

10.       Truth Initiative, Local restrictions on flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/local-restrictions-flavored-tobacco-and-e-cigarette. Accessed October 4th 2023.