Know the Facts
Smoking cigarettes puts you at risk for heart disease, cancer, and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death for African American adults in the United States.
- About 1 in 8 (11.7%) non-Hispanic Black adults in the U.S. smokes cigarettes.*
Several factors connect commercial tobacco with higher levels of disease, disability, and death in different population groups. Learn more about health disparities related to commercial tobacco use that affect African American people.
Learn what percent of people currently smokes cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific population groups.
Tips%C2%AE" title="Real Stories: African American People Featured in Tips®">Real Stories: African American People Featured in Tips®
Learn the real stories of African American adults who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities, and the family members who take care of them.
[
Meet Angie P. Angie, age 62, lives in Ohio and began smoking menthol cigarettes at age 15. She smoked because she thought it would help her to cope with the fear that people around her would not accept that she is gay.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/angie-p.html)[
Meet Annette S. Annette, age 57, lives in New York and began smoking in her teens. At age 52, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, which required removal of one of her lungs. She was later diagnosed with oral cancer.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/annette.html)
[
Meet Geri M. Geri, age 58, lives in Michigan and started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 20. She lives with smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and relies on oxygen therapy to help her breathe.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/geri.html)
[
Meet Ethan B. Ethan, age 59, lives in California and started smoking menthol cigarettes regularly at age 18. He grew up seeing ads that made him think smoking cigarettes was “cool.” He suffered two strokes as a result of smoking.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/ethan-b.html)[
Meet Jamason C. Jamason, age 18, lives in Kentucky. He was an infant when he was diagnosed with asthma. When people smoke around him, the secondhand smoke can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/jamason.html)
[
Meet James F. James, age 48, lives in New York and began smoking at age 14. He quit smoking in 2010 to reduce his risk for health problems and now bikes 10 miles every day.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/james.html)
[
Meet Julia C. Julia, age 58, lives in Mississippi and started smoking in her early twenties. At age 49, she developed colon cancer. She’s had surgery and chemotherapy and has lived with an ostomy bag taped to a hole in her abdomen.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/julia.html)
[
Meet Marie W. Marie, age 62, lives in New York and began smoking in high school. Diagnosed with Buerger’s disease in her forties, Marie has undergone amputations of part of her right foot, her left leg, and several fingertips.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/marie.html)
[
Meet Roosevelt S. Roosevelt, age 51, lives in Virginia and began smoking in his teens. At age 45, he had a heart attack. Doctors later placed stents in his heart and performed six bypasses.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/roosevelt.html)
[
Meet Tiffany R. Tiffany, age 40, lives in Louisiana. She started smoking at 19, even though her mother, a smoker, died of lung cancer. Tiffany quit smoking — wanting to be around for her own teenage daughter.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/tiffany.html)
On This Page
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/ethan-b.html)[Ethan B. grew up seeing ads that made him think smoking cigarettes was “cool.” He suffered two strokes as a result of smoking. The strokes damaged his memory, and he sometimes forgets how to use everyday things.
“I smoked because I wanted to look cool and be cool. But there’s nothing cool about smoking and having a stroke.”
[](https://smokefree.gov/tips)
Learn more about all of the Tips® participants in our Real Stories section.
Free Quitting Resources
Telephone
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
- 1-800-838-8917 (中文)
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Smartphone Apps/Text
- Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
- quitSTART appexternal icon
Web
- Quit Smoking (En Español)
- Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
- Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
Free Quitting Resources
Telephone
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
- 1-800-838-8917 (中文)
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Smartphone Apps/Text
- Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
- quitSTART appexternal icon
Web
- Quit Smoking (En Español)
- Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
- Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
Free Quitting Resources
Web
Smartphone Apps/Text
- Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
- quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quit
Telephone
- 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
- Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon1-800-838-8917 (中文)
- 1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
- 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
Quit Smoking Medicines
There are 7 quit-smoking medicines approved by the FDA. Explore ways to get free or reduced cost quit-smoking medicines from your health insurance, health plan, or other sources.
Real Stories: African Americans Featured in Tips®
Learn the real stories of African Americans who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities, and the family members who take care of them.
Geri M., age 58, smoked menthol cigarettes and was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at age 44. She would get easily winded, and at age 54, she had to quit working as a mail carrier because it was too taxing on her health.
“If I can help even one person to quit, then I’ve turned my curse into a blessing.”
More Real Stories:
Learn more about all Tips® participants in our Real Stories section.
[](https://smokefree.gov/tips)
References
- Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2023.
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