neversmokers

Never-smokers are individuals who have never regularly smoked tobacco products. In health research, definitions vary; a commonly used criterion is having smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in a lifetime. Depending on the study, those who have smoked any amount may be classified as current or former smokers. The term is mainly used in epidemiology and public health to distinguish people who have not engaged in tobacco use from those who have smoked in the past or continue to smoke.

Compared with current or former smokers, never-smokers generally have lower risks for tobacco-related diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke and other environmental pollutants can affect never-smokers. In addition, rare cancers and health outcomes can occur in never-smokers due to factors other than direct tobacco use, or due to prenatal, occupational, or lifestyle exposures.

Prevalence of never-smoking varies by country, region, age cohort, and socioeconomic factors. In many populations, a substantial share of adults report never having smoked, and initiation rates differ across generations. Public health efforts aim to prevent smoking initiation, promote cessation for current smokers, and reduce exposures to secondhand smoke by enacting smoke-free policies and regulating tobacco advertising. The label never-smoker emphasizes tobacco history rather than overall health status; it does not imply immunity from health risks.