Marijuana Tops Cigarettes: Is This the Healthier Smoking Alternative We’ve Been Waiting For?

For the first time, more Americans are reporting regular marijuana use than cigarette smoking—a shift that highlights changing attitudes toward health, recreation, and substance use. According to the latest Gallup survey, 15 percent of U.S. adults say they smoke cannabis, compared to just 11 percent who smoke cigarettes weekly. This trend underscores a cultural pivot that has been building over the last decade.

Tobacco use in the United States has been on the decline for decades, thanks to widespread awareness campaigns about its health risks, higher taxes, and restrictive smoking laws. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cigarette smoking rates among adults have dropped from 42 percent in the 1960s to an all-time low of around 11 percent today.

For many Americans, cigarettes have become synonymous with serious health risks, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory issues. These dangers, paired with a cultural shift away from traditional tobacco use, have paved the way for marijuana to emerge as a popular alternative.

Cannabis, meanwhile, has followed an entirely different trajectory. Once stigmatized and criminalized, marijuana is now legally available for medical or recreational use in 38 U.S. states. Its growing acceptance has been driven by shifting perceptions of its safety, medical potential, and economic benefits.

Gallup’s polling data shows that marijuana use is particularly prevalent among younger adults, with 19 percent of those aged 18 to 34 reporting regular cannabis use. This figure drops slightly among adults aged 35 to 54 (18 percent) and significantly among those 55 and older (10 percent). Men are also more likely than women to smoke marijuana, with 17 percent of men using it compared to 11 percent of women. These demographics reflect a broader trend of cannabis normalization among younger and more socially liberal populations.

The shift from cigarettes to cannabis could have significant implications for public health. While marijuana is not without risks—such as potential cognitive effects and dependency for some users—it lacks the overwhelming health dangers associated with tobacco.

Cigarettes are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths annually in the U.S., while there is no equivalent category for cannabis-related mortality.

For many, cannabis represents not only a recreational choice but also a perceived wellness product. Some users turn to marijuana to manage stress, pain, or anxiety, avoiding substances like tobacco and alcohol that carry greater health risks.

The growing popularity of cannabis also mirrors a broader cultural shift. As stigmas around marijuana diminish, it has become a symbol of progressive attitudes and alternative lifestyles. This trend, often referred to as the "green revolution," reflects changing priorities among younger generations, who are more health-conscious and open to exploring new avenues for relaxation and recreation.

The drop in cigarette smoking among these same groups underscores this cultural evolution. Millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge toward substance choices that align with their values, including environmental sustainability, mental health awareness, and overall wellness.

While the rise of cannabis use appears to signal a positive trend in reducing tobacco-related harm, it also raises questions. Will increased cannabis use lead to its own set of public health challenges? How will the normalization of marijuana affect workplace policies, driving laws, and public safety? Additionally, disparities in access and affordability of legal cannabis could perpetuate inequalities, as marginalized communities may still face barriers to safe, regulated products.

The overtaking of cigarettes by cannabis marks a pivotal moment in American culture and public health. It reflects not only a decline in tobacco use but also the normalization of marijuana as a mainstream substance. As more states legalize cannabis and research expands, its role in society will likely continue to evolve—potentially reshaping the way Americans approach health, recreation, and wellness in the years to come.

Would you choose cannabis over cigarettes for your health and recreation?