Rural-Urban Differences in the Decline of Adolescent Cigarette Smoking

Comparing survey data from 2008-2010 with 2014-2016, we examined change over time in cigarette smoking among rural and urban adolescents. We found that both rural and urban rates declined, but the decrease was smaller in rural counties, which widened the rural-urban gap in adolescent smoking rates. Prevention efforts should be tailored to rural areas.