Hispanic and Latino People

Know the Facts

Cigarette smoking increases your risk for heart disease and cancer, which are the leading causes of death for Hispanic and Latino people in the United States.

  • About 1 in 13 (7.7%) Hispanic or Latino adults in the U.S. smokes cigarettes.*
  • Among Hispanic and Latino people, cigarette smoking is more common in men than women.†

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 Hispanic and Latino people.

Learn what percent of people currently smokes cigarettes, both in the United States overall and among specific population groups.

Real Stories: Hispanic and Latino People Featured in Tips®

Learn the real stories of Hispanic and Latino adults who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.

Noel S.

Meet Noel S. Noel, age 42, lives in New York and started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 13. He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for more than 20 years. He suffered a smoking-related heart attack at the age of 36. He was finally able to quit smoking, change his diet, and exercise regularly.

Learn more about all of the Tips participants in our Real Stories section.

Noel S.

Noel S. started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 13. He smoked two packs a day for more than 20 years.

“I’d wake up, smoke. Get in the shower, smoke. Get dressed, smoke … I want to walk down the street and have somebody say to me, ‘I quit smoking because of you.’ That’s my goal.”

Today I start my quit journey. Free resources provided by smokefree.gov
Free Quitting Resources
Free Quitting Resources
Free Quitting Resources
Web
Smartphone Apps/Text
Telephone

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: Hispanics/Latinos Featured in Tips®

Learn the real stories of Hispanics and Latinos who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.

Felicita
Felicita R. smoked cigarettes and lost all her teeth by age 50. She didn't know that smoking could harm her gums and teeth.
"I feel ashamed of myself, really. I feel like I destroyed my health and my appearance with cigarettes."

Learn more about all Tips participants in our Real Stories section.

Today I start my quit journey. Free resources provided by smokefree.gov

* Tobacco Product Use Among Adults – United States, 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2023.
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2018