Smokeout 2025: Latest on Hazards of Tobacco, Life-Saving Benefits of Quitting Now

While the battle against traditional cigarette smoking has seen remarkable progress, the continued popularity of e-cigarettes, or vaping, continues to be a challenge for public health. The Great American Smokeout, an annual event on the third Thursday of November, encourages people who smoke to quit. And for many, it becomes the first step toward a healthier, smoke-free life.

There is good news. The relentless efforts of public health campaigns have paid off, with adult cigarette smoking in the U.S. dropping to its lowest point in over 60 years. As of late 2023, only 10.8 percent of adults reported smoking cigarettes, a significant decrease from previous years. This decline is a major public health victory, representing millions of people who have lowered their risk for lung cancer, chronic diseases and early death.

Smoking is responsible for more than 80 percent of lung cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Each year we see the toll that tobacco and vaping take—not just on individuals, but on families and entire communities,” explains Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., chief of medical oncology, chief scientific officer, deputy director and Fernandez Family Foundation Chair in Research at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. “Quitting is a powerful step, and it greatly reduces the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other life-threatening illnesses.”

The number of lung cancer screenings at Miami Cancer Institute has nearly doubled over the past several years as a result of a partnership with LUNGevity, a non-profit organization focused on lung cancer research and patient advocacy. “A pivotal piece of our partnership has been ensuring that we have screening education materials and awareness campaigns in Spanish to meet the needs of the community,” Dr. Ahluwalia notes.

A Shifting Landscape: Fewer Smokers, More Vapers

However, this success is met with a concerning trend: the surge in e-cigarette use. Between 2017 and 2023, while the number of exclusive cigarette smokers fell by 6.8 million, the number of exclusive e-cigarette users grew by 7.2 million. This shows that many people are trading one habit for another, often under the misconception that vaping is a harmless alternative. The percentage of adults using e-cigarettes rose to 6.5 percent in 2023, with the highest rates among young adults aged 18 to 24.

Nicotine addiction can start early and is incredibly difficult to overcome, especially with the added appeal of flavored vaping products. It’s critical that we work together—healthcare providers, families, educators, and policymakers—to help people break free from these products and prevent the next generation from starting."

Manmeet Ahluwalia, M.D., chief of medical oncology, chief scientific officer, deputy director and Fernandez Family Foundation Chair in Research at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.

link for Dr. Ahluwalia

This shift presents a two-front battle. We must continue to support those quitting cigarettes while also addressing the growing addiction to nicotine through vaping.

The Dangers of All Tobacco Products

Whether it's traditional cigarettes or modern e-cigarettes, the health risks are significant and well-documented. Nicotine in any form is highly addictive, and the chemicals involved can cause widespread damage to the body.

Mark Dylewski, M.D., chief of general thoracic surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, puts it bluntly: “Smoking is one of the worst things that you could ever put in your body. It's not just lung cancer that it causes. Smoking is responsible for the majority of healthcare issues. It's actually a top factor that's costing this country a fortune in treating patients for heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, kidney cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.”

The consequences of long-term use are severe. “If you want to smoke, you ought to consider that you're likely going to reduce your long-term survival by more than 20 years, if you smoke 20 years or more,” warns Dr. Dylewski.

While often marketed as safer, e-cigarettes are not risk-free. They contain nicotine, which can harm adolescent brain development, and a mix of harmful chemicals like heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.

“Nicotine addiction can start early and is incredibly difficult to overcome, especially with the added appeal of flavored vaping products,” Dr. Ahluwalia notes. “It’s critical that we work together—healthcare providers, families, educators, and policymakers—to help people break free from these products and prevent the next generation from starting.”

Vaping can lead to lung inflammation and other serious respiratory problems. Moreover, recent studies indicate that "dual use"—smoking cigarettes and vaping—can increase the risk of lung cancer by four times, compared to smoking alone.

“Many of my patients are surprised to learn that the harm from vaping can be just as serious as smoking traditional cigarettes,” explains Ian C. Bostock, M.D., thoracic surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. “Education and early prevention are key to protecting your health and the health of our next generation.”

A Critical Concern: Youth and Flavored Vapes

While youth cigarette smoking has hit an all-time low of just 1.4 percent, the popularity of e-cigarettes among teens remains a serious public health threat. Although the number of middle and high school students who vape dropped in 2024, a large number of them use these products frequently or daily.

A major driver of this trend is the availability of flavored products. In 2024, nearly 88 percent of youth vapers used flavored e-cigarettes, with fruit, candy, and mint flavors being the most popular. The prevalence of disposable vapes makes these products easy to access and conceal, creating a new generation addicted to nicotine.

If you use tobacco or vape, it's also important to discuss lung cancer screening with your doctor. Current guidelines recommend a low-dose CT scan for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a 20-pack-year history of smoking, including those who have quit within the last 15 years.

“As physicians, we see firsthand how difficult it can be to quit smoking, but we also witness incredible transformations when patients commit to quitting,” said Dr. Bostock. “Even small steps toward quitting can lead to big long-term benefits for your health and quality of life.”

Actionable Steps to Quit for Good

Quitting is challenging, but millions of people have done it successfully. Here are some proven strategies to help you on your path:

1. Set a Quit Date: Choose a specific day to stop using all nicotine products.
2. Create a Quit Plan: Think about your triggers and how you'll manage them. Will you need to avoid certain places or situations? What will you do when a craving hits? Write down your strategies.
3. Build a Support System: Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about your plan to quit. Their encouragement can make a huge difference. You can also join a support group or online forum.
4. Explore Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Products like patches, gum, and lozenges can help manage withdrawal symptoms by providing a controlled dose of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals.
5. Talk to Your Doctor: A healthcare professional can provide personalized advice and support. They may also recommend prescription medications that have been shown to be effective in helping people quit.

“The Great American Smokeout isn’t just about quitting for one day—it’s about proving to yourself that change is possible,” said Dr. Bostock. “Let this be your starting line toward a healthier future.”