Fact Sheet

Tobacco use: Utah 2026

Topic

Smoking by Region

Subtopic

State Facts

Cigarette use: Utah*

In 2024, 6.0% of adults smoked. Nationally, the adult cigarette smoking prevalence was 11.6%.
In 2018-2019, 16.4% of adults who smoked in Utah smoked menthol cigarettes. Nationally, 32.3% of adult smokers used menthol cigarettes during this period.
In 2023, 1.1% of high school students in Utah smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigarette smoking prevalence among high school students was 3.5%.

Other tobacco product use: Utah*

In 2024, 6.9% of adults in Utah used e-cigarettes. Nationally, the adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 8.0%.
In 2024, 2.1% of adults in Utah used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, the adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.2%.
In 2023, 5.7% of high school students in Utah used electronic vapor products on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 16.8%.
In 2023, 1.0% of high school students in Utah used chewing tobacco, snuff or dip on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the smokeless tobacco use prevalence among high school students was 2.3%.
In 2023, 1.2% of high school students in Utah smoked cigars, cigarillos or little cigars on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigar use prevalence among high school students was 4.5%.

Economics of tobacco use and tobacco control

Utah received $115.9 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2026.
Of this, the state allocated $16.4 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2026, 85.0% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual spending target.
Smoking-caused health care costs: $630 million per year.
Smoking-caused losses in productivity: $1.3 billion per year.

Utah tobacco laws

Tobacco taxes

Utah is ranked 28th in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $1.70 per pack (enacted July 2010), compared to the national average of $2.05. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.)
Little cigars are taxed at 8.5 cents per cigar and moist snuff is taxed at $1.83 per ounce. E-cigarette substances and prefilled e-cigarettes are taxed at the manufacturer's sales price multiplied by 0.56.
All other tobacco products are taxed at 86% of the manufacturer's selling price.

Clean indoor air ordinances

Smoking is prohibited in government workplaces, private workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, and retail stores.
School boards are required to adopt rules prohibiting the use and possession of e-cigarettes on school property and at sponsored activities.
The distribution of e-cigarettes is prohibited in correctional facilities. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in cars when a person 15 years or younger is present.
E-cigarettes are included in the state's indoor air laws and the state's definition of smoking and tobacco products.

E-cigarette registry laws

Effective January 1, 2025, only products from e-liquid manufacturers and alternative nicotine product manufacturers that are listed in Utah's state directory and have provided certification of approval through the PMTA process will be allowed for sale in the state.

Flavor restrictions

The sale of flavored e-cigarettes, except mint and menthol flavors, is restricted to adult-only retail tobacco specialty stores.
Flavored electronic cigarette products may only be sold through tobacco retail specialty businesses.

Licensing laws

Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.
Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell e-cigarettes.

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.
People under 21 are prohibited from buying e-cigarettes.
Vape shops are prohibited within 1,000 feet of a public or private school.
Retail sales of e-cigarettes must be through a face-to-face exchange, except sales through a tobacco specialty shop, vending machine, legally compliant remote sales, or self-service displays inaccessible to persons under 21.
Tobacco specialty businesses:
- Must prohibit anyone under 21 from entering (unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or present solely to provide a service to the business, including making a delivery, is monitored by an employee, and is not permitted to make any purchase).
- Must be located at least 1,000 feet from "community locations" including schools, churches, playgrounds, and youth centers.
- Must be located at least 600 feet from other tobacco specialty shops and from property used or zoned for agriculture or residential use (with some exceptions).
- Must not employ anyone under 21 to sell electronic cigarette products.
- Must not permit any employee under 21 to sell an electronic cigarette product.
E-cigarette samples are restricted to adults at "professional conventions." E-cigarettes may not be sold at a discounted cost.

Quitting statistics and benefits

The CDC estimates 47.0% of daily adult smokers in Utah quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.
In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required that Medicaid programs cover all tobacco cessation medications.**
Utah's state quit line invests $7.78 per smoker, compared to the national median of $2.62.
Most private health plans in Utah have a mandate provision for cessation (insurance commissioner bulletin).

Notes and references (March 2026)

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.

CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
CDC. (2024). State Menthol Fact Sheets.
CDC. (2023). High School Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2026). Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State Look at the 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 24 Years Later FY2024. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). The Toll of Tobacco in the United States. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
American Lung Association. (2026). State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI).
American Lung Association. (2026). State of Tobacco Control.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). State Cigarette Excise Tax Rates & Rankings.
https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0097.pdf
Public Health Law Center. (2024, June 15). U.S. E-Cigarette Regulations: 50 State Review.
https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/us-e-cigarette-regulations-50-state-review
State E-Cigarette Registry Bill Map. Public Health Law Center. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from:
https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/state-e-cigarette-registry-bill-map
Truth Initiative. (2024, June 30). Local Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products.
https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/local-restrictions-flavored-tobacco-and-e-cigarette
FDA. (2024). Tobacco 21.
https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21
CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System.