What counts as an ex-smoker?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, approximately 61.2% of adults who have ever smoked have successfully quit. But what counts as an ex-smoker? The official definition hinges on a combination of past behavior and current abstinence, which can vary depending on the context, from health surveys to insurance applications.

Quick Summary

An individual is typically considered an ex-smoker if they have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but no longer smoke at all. While some official bodies use a simple "not currently smoking" status, other contexts, like insurance, may require a specific period of abstinence to qualify.

Key Points

CDC Definition: To be considered an ex-smoker, you must have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your life but do not currently smoke at all, according to the CDC.
No Waiting Period for Health Classification: From a public health standpoint, the moment you stop smoking, you are classified as a former smoker.
Insurance Has Stricter Timelines: For life insurance, you typically need to be tobacco-free for at least 12 months to qualify for non-smoker rates.
Health Benefits Start Immediately: Your body begins to recover within minutes of your last cigarette, with heart rate and blood pressure dropping quickly.
Ex-Smoker vs. Never Smoker: While risks decrease significantly after quitting, an ex-smoker's health risk profile for some conditions may remain slightly higher than a never-smoker's.
Relapse is a Setback, Not Failure: If you relapse, you are no longer an ex-smoker by definition, but it's a part of the journey and doesn't erase your progress or access to support.
Healthcare Depends on Your Status: A full smoking history is crucial for doctors to provide the right care and for determining eligibility for certain screenings.

Defining an Ex-Smoker: The Official Criteria

The term "ex-smoker" may seem straightforward, but its official definition can vary depending on the context. For public health surveys, like those conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the criteria are specific and measurable. A person is classified as an ex-smoker if they have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but, at the time of the survey, report that they do not currently smoke at all. This contrasts with a "never smoker," who has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their life.

This basic definition provides a clear distinction for researchers and policymakers to track smoking trends and the overall health of the population. However, for an individual navigating their personal health journey, the label can feel more nuanced. For many, becoming an "ex-smoker" is a personal milestone marked by a commitment to a tobacco-free life, rather than just a statistical category.

The Timeline: When Does it Become "Official"?

For many health purposes, the moment you stop is the moment you are considered an ex-smoker. However, the benefits of quitting accumulate over time, and some official or clinical definitions add a time-based element:

For Health Surveys: The CDC's definition is simple: you are a former smoker once you no longer smoke. There is no waiting period to achieve this classification.
For Insurance Purposes: Insurance companies often have a stricter requirement, frequently demanding a 12-month period of being tobacco-free to qualify for non-smoker rates. This is because the health risks associated with smoking take time to decrease significantly.
For Clinical Trials: In research settings, abstinence is often tracked at different milestones, such as 3, 12, or even 20 months, to gauge the success of cessation methods.

This distinction highlights that while the immediate status change is important, the long-term health and financial benefits are tied to sustained abstinence. The commitment to not picking up another cigarette is the critical element, regardless of how official agencies or companies may classify it.

The Health Benefits: How Being an Ex-Smoker Impacts Your Body

Quitting smoking offers immediate and long-term health benefits, regardless of how long you have been smoke-free. The body begins to recover almost immediately after the last cigarette.

Immediate Improvements (Minutes to Days)

20 Minutes: Your blood pressure and heart rate drop to a more normal level.
12 Hours: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
2 Weeks to 3 Months: Your circulation and lung function begin to improve.

Mid-Term Improvements (1 to 12 Months)

Coughing and shortness of breath decrease significantly.
Tiny hair-like structures in the lungs, called cilia, start to regain normal function, cleaning the lungs and reducing infection risk.

Long-Term Improvements (1 to 20+ Years)

1 Year: Your risk of coronary heart disease drops by about half.
5-10 Years: The risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and larynx is cut in half. The risk of stroke also begins to decrease significantly.
10 Years: Your risk of lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking.
15 Years: Your risk of coronary heart disease is nearly that of a never-smoker.

Ex-Smoker vs. Non-Smoker: A Crucial Distinction

Understanding the difference between an "ex-smoker" and a "non-smoker" is important for assessing health risks, especially as an ex-smoker's risks, while greatly reduced, may never entirely return to the level of a never-smoker.


Feature	Ex-Smoker (or Former Smoker)	Never Smoker	Other Smokers
History	Has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.	Has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.	Currently smokes every day or some days.
Current Status	Does not currently smoke at all.	Does not currently smoke at all.	Actively using tobacco products.
Health Risk Profile	Risks decrease over time but may remain slightly higher than a never-smoker for some conditions, especially lung cancer.	Baseline health risk is lower regarding smoking-related illnesses.	Highest health risk due to active tobacco use.
Medical & Financial Classification	May have different rates for life insurance, depending on how long ago they quit.	Often receives the most favorable rates for insurance.	Faces the highest rates for life and health insurance.

Relapse: A Step on the Journey, Not the End

Quitting smoking is a process, and for many, it's not a single event but a journey that may include setbacks. If an ex-smoker relapses and starts smoking again, they would no longer be classified as an ex-smoker according to the CDC definition. However, a relapse is not a failure, but a sign that more support may be needed. Many people make several quit attempts before achieving long-term success. Resources and support systems are available to help individuals get back on track after a relapse, and every day without smoking is a step towards better health.

How Your Status Affects Healthcare and Insurance

Your smoking status, and specifically your history as an ex-smoker, has practical implications beyond statistical surveys. Healthcare providers need to know your full smoking history to accurately assess your risk for various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, COPD, and several cancers. This information helps them provide the right screening and care for you. For instance, former smokers who meet certain criteria may be eligible for lung cancer screening, as recommended by organizations like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Similarly, when applying for life or health insurance, you will be asked about your smoking history. Insurers use this data to determine your risk and set your premiums. Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower your insurance costs over time, but you typically need to prove a consistent period of abstinence. The exact timeframe varies by company, but one year is a common benchmark.

Ultimately, whether for health tracking, financial planning, or personal pride, understanding what counts as an ex-smoker is empowering. The commitment to quitting, and the progress made, is what truly matters on the path to a healthier life.

Visit the American Cancer Society for resources on quitting smoking

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the CDC, you must have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your lifetime to be classified as a former smoker, provided you no longer smoke at all.

No, an ex-smoker is not the same as a non-smoker. An ex-smoker is someone who used to smoke but quit, while a non-smoker has either never smoked or has smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their life.

For insurance purposes, you are typically considered a non-smoker after a specific period of abstinence, often 12 months, although this can vary by insurer.

While the body can recover significantly, and health risks drop dramatically over time, some risks, like that of lung cancer, may never fully return to the level of a never-smoker, even decades after quitting.

If an ex-smoker has one cigarette, they technically cease to meet the CDC definition of a former smoker. While one cigarette may not erase all health gains, it can trigger a full relapse, so it's important to view it as a moment to get back on track rather than a complete failure.

Yes, some contexts, particularly in clinical research, differentiate between short-term and long-term abstinence. For instance, a "long-term former smoker" may have quit for over a year, signifying a lower risk of relapse.

Yes, quitting smoking provides significant health benefits at any age. While quitting younger offers greater risk reduction, even older individuals who quit can add years to their lives compared to those who continue smoking.