HARRISBURG, PA — As the calendar turns toward 2026, nearly one in seven Pennsylvania adults remains dependent on tobacco or nicotine products, a stark reminder of a public health crisis that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives each year.
An estimated 14.9 percent of adults in the state use at least one tobacco or nicotine product, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or nicotine pouches, according to the American Lung Association. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Pennsylvania, killing about 22,010 residents annually.
Health advocates say the numbers underscore both the scale of addiction and the urgency of intervention, particularly as many Americans consider New Year’s resolutions focused on health.
“In our state, 14.9 percent of adults smoke and 17 percent of high school students use a tobacco product,” said Elizabeth Hensil, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “We know that breaking the addiction to nicotine is extremely difficult. For most people, it takes multiple attempts to quit tobacco for good. Each quit attempt brings a person closer to reaching their goal.”
The American Lung Association is urging people who use tobacco or nicotine products to make quitting a priority in 2026, emphasizing that stopping at any age can significantly improve both lifespan and quality of life. While early cessation offers the greatest benefit, health experts stress that it is never too late to quit.
To support that effort, the organization offers a free Lung Helpline, providing one-on-one assistance to adults and teens ages 13 and older. By calling 1-800-LUNGUSA, individuals can connect with licensed registered nurses, respiratory therapists, or certified tobacco treatment specialists trained in evidence-based cessation strategies.
Hensil said medical guidance is a critical component of successful quitting. She encouraged people ready to stop using tobacco or nicotine to consult their healthcare providers about Food and Drug Administration-approved cessation medications and to combine them with structured quit programs.
Beyond quitting support, the Lung Helpline also assists callers with information about lung cancer screening eligibility, navigating insurance challenges, and connecting with Lung Health Navigators who specialize in conditions such as lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. The service also works with employers seeking to help their workforce quit.
Most health insurance plans cover medications and counseling to help people stop using tobacco. For those without coverage, advocates point to Healthcare.gov and Pennie.gov, noting that open enrollment runs through January 15.
For public health officials, the message heading into 2026 is blunt: nicotine addiction remains deeply entrenched across age groups, but proven tools exist to help people break free. The challenge, they say, is ensuring that those tools reach the people who need them most.
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