Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China
China: Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco was 22.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China, 2000–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in % of adults.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China is 22.8%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China peaked at 27.1% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 22.8%, in 2024.
China ranks 63rd of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China, year by year
| Year | % of adults | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 27.1% | — |
| 2005 | 26.0% | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 25.6% | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 25.1% | -2.0% |
| 2015 | 24.3% | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 23.4% | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 23.1% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 23.0% | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 22.8% | -0.9% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 22.8% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21.1%, 1.1× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- China's 22.8% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 23.1%, 99% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26.2% | 25.6% | 27.1% | 3 |
| 2010s | 24.7% | 24.3% | 25.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 23.1% | 22.8% | 23.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
More reference data data for China
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 49.4 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 75.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 18.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 303.29 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 165.62 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 206.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 350.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1,480 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 102.37 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China?
- Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco in China was 22.8% in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 27.1% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.8% in 2024.
- How does China rank for share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco?
- China ranks 63rd out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of adults who smoke or use other tobacco. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Estimated percentage of adults (15 years and older) who currently use tobacco. This includes all forms of tobacco use, such as smoking, chewing or snuffing, but excludes products that do not contain tobacco, such as e-cigarettes.