2026 West Virginia Session Summary

Victory in the fight against cancer requires bold public policies that promote cancer prevention, early detection of cancer, and expand access to quality, affordable health care. Lawmakers make many decisions that impact the lives of West Virginia Residents impacted by cancer and their leadership is vital to defeating this disease.

In 2026 the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) worked with the West Virginia legislature to make a robust investment in youth tobacco prevention. 

Reducing the Toll of Tobacco

• JUUL Supplemental Appropriations Bill: ACS CAN was successful in getting a supplemental appropriation bill passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor. It directs $2.9 million to tobacco control from a settlement with JUUL Labs. This investment will allow West Virginia to increase its investment in programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help adults quit.

• Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding: We were able to get a subcommittee hearing for our bill to provide a consistent annual investment of $5 million to tobacco control from a fund known as “Rainy Day B.” The bill passed out of the subcommittee which marked significant progress.  ACS CAN will continue to advocate for increased funding for tobacco control to reduce tobacco use in West Virginia.

• Tobacco Tax Bill: For the first time, multiple lawmakers co-sponsored our ACS CAN comprehensive tobacco tax bill. Legislators did not take up the bill, but this session marked the first time that multiple policymakers agreed to publicly support our tobacco tax policy.  ACS CAN looks forward to continuing to advocate for increased taxes on all tobacco products to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to quit.

For more information, contact: Doug Hogan, ACS CAN West Virginia Government Relations Director 

[email protected]  Phone 502.545.6299  

ACS CAN is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, please visit www.fightcancer.org.