Legislature Failing to Protect Ohioans from Tobacco —But the Clock Hasn’t Run Out Yet
Ohio Still Has an Opportunity to Generate Revenue, Protect Kids, and Save Lives
Michelle Zimmerman
Associate Director, Regional Media Advocacy
Legislature Missed Opportunity to Protect Ohioans from Tobacco
Ohio Had an Opportunity to Generate Revenue, Protect Kids and Save Lives
June 25, 2025
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Ohio legislature passed the budget, which failed to prioritize protecting Ohioans from tobacco use. It doesn’t include the increased tobacco taxes or funding for programs to reduce tobacco use proposed by Gov. DeWine.
The Following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Leo Almeida:
“It is unthinkable that the legislature slashed funding for the Ohio Department of Health’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program. The Governor proposed an increase in funding to $10 million per year, but the House and Senate chose to cut funding to $6 million annually. The legislative funding cuts are in addition to recent federal cuts to the program.
“This decrease in funding means 500 more Ohio kids will grow up to become addicted adults who smoke. With Big Tobacco spending $409.6 million marketing their deadly and addictive products in our state annually, well-funded, fact-based tobacco control programs are needed more than ever.
“The legislature also stripped Gov. Mike DeWine's proposal to raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack and taxes on other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase would have generated $318.82 million in new annual revenue, prevented 11,800 Ohio youth from becoming adults who smoke, saved 14,200 lives and millions in Medicaid costs.
“While the Ohio legislature failed to protect our kids from Big Tobacco, other states in our region were standing up to Big Tobacco by increasing funding to tobacco prevention and cessation programs and increasing tobacco taxes.
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will continue standing up for the health of Ohioans by looking for more opportunities to work with lawmakers to reduce the toll of tobacco on Ohioans.
“Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ohio, resulting in 20,200 deaths each year, including 33.5% of cancer deaths. Ohio can and must do better to reduce the toll of tobacco on our state.”
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