Prevention and Cessation

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Tobacco Control

Our work to reduce tobacco use has led to funding for highly successful quitlines and youth programs that educate children about the perils of using tobacco, including cigarettes, hookah and e-cigarettes. 

These programs will help prevent children from starting a deadly tobacco addiction and help more adults quit. 

Smoking rates are at their lowest levels in decades, with 1.9 percent of high school kids and 11.5 percent of adults smoking cigarettes.

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Oregon Supreme Court Flavored Tobacco Ruling a Big Win for Public Health  

May 7, 2026
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon -- In a significant public health victory, the Oregon Supreme Court today issued a unanimous decision affirming Washington County’s 2021 law that ended the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products. The high court confirmed the Washington County Ordinance (WCO 878) is not preempted by

Washington Lawmakers Missed Opportunity to Protect Access to Cancer Prevention, Detection Resources  

April 27, 2026
Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. – – Washington residents continue to face soaring health insurance costs and hundreds of thousands are at risk of losing life-saving coverage this year following changes to Medicaid. The Washington Legislature didn’t do enough to help that situation in its 2026 session and too many in the state

Maryland Legislative Session Ends with Mixed Results for Tobacco Control

April 14, 2026
Maryland

The 2026 legislative session in Annapolis brought three key developments in tobacco control policy. First, lawmakers declined to advance legislation that would have created an exemption to the Clean Indoor Air Act by expanding the number of businesses that allow indoor cigar smoking. This was met with praise by cancer survivors and health advocates, but, as one survivor advocate with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) described it, this session “we took one step forward and two steps back.”

Nebraska Legislative Passes Budget With Policy Wins for Big Tobacco 

April 8, 2026
Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. – “As the 2026 Nebraska legislature pass their budget, they failed to stand up for the health of all Nebraskans against the interests of Big Tobacco. Despite over 50 years of data linking tobacco use to multiple cancers, tobacco remains a leading cause of cancer and cancer death;

Prevention and Cessation Resources

Investment in Tobacco Control Programs

May 14, 2026

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls on Congress to support a sustained funding level of $310 million in Fiscal Year 2027 for fact based tobacco prevention and cessation programs and ensure the funding is used as Congress intended.

Increasing Access to FDA‑Approved Cessation Medications Through Pharmacist‑Provided Care

May 12, 2026

Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important public health role, in part due to the widespread presence of pharmacies in communities, with nearly 89% of people in the U.S.

Federal Tobacco Control Partners' Letter on Office of Smoking and Health's Infrastructure and Funding

April 15, 2026

On April 15, 2026, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Truth Initiative sent a letter to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, in support of efforts to fully restore staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The letter uplifts that reinstating capacity at the Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) at CDC is essential to ensuring congressionally appropriated funds are used effectively and that states, Tribal organizations, and territories receive uninterrupted funding, as well as technical assistance, and data-driven guidance. The letter underscores that without a fully staffed OSH, evidence-based programs that prevent youth initiation, help people quit, and reduce tobacco-related disease and costs nationwide are at serious risk.