Although few studies have established significant associations between cancer risk perception and smoking status, the evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the association between risk perception for developing cancer and smoking status, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National Trends Survey [HINTS 5, Cycle 1 (2017)] were utilized. Multivariable logistic regression analysis examined the association between cancer risk perception and smoking status in a sample of 2,232 adults with no history of cancer, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, employment and family history of cancer. Overall prevalence for current cigarette smoking was 14.75%. Relative to participants who reported lower perceived risk of developing cancer, those who reported higher perceived risk had significantly greater odds of being a current smoker (OR=2.60; 95% CI: 1.23-5.49) or former smoker (OR=1.69; 95% CI: 1.06-2.69). In a sub-group analysis, higher- and moderate-perceived risk of developing cancer were significantly associated with intention to quit smoking (OR=6.56; 95% CI: 1.93-22.28) and (OR=6.53; 95% CI: 1.78-23.89), respectively. Though an individual's perceived risk of developing cancer might predict intention to quit smoking, it is unlikely to be sufficient for inducing motivation to stop high-risk behaviors including smoking. Therefore, initiation and wider dissemination of proven strategies for both discouraging smoking initiation and sustaining smoking cessation are warranted.