Prevention and Cessation

We have launched campaigns in cities and states across the nation to prevent stores from selling tobacco products to people under age 21.  Already passed in California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Oregon, and hundreds of cities, this change promises to make it less likely that children become addicted to tobacco products.

Overall, 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. 

Together, these programs and our Tobacco 21 campaign 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 8 percent of high school kids and 15.5 percent of adults smoking cigarettes.

Latest Updates

September 7, 2023
National

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) launched a new campaign, “Empower Vape-Free Youth,” which aims to empower educators to speak with youth about the risks associated with e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction and to encourage youth to avoid and/or quit e-cigarettes.

August 2, 2023
National

This week, 32 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Robert M. Califf, MD, urging the FDA to finalize the proposed rule to remove menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

June 30, 2023
Ohio

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls on Gov. Mike DeWine to veto language that removes local control, which allows local governments to pass laws stronger than the state law. Amid the growing youth tobacco epidemic, we need local laws to protect our kids, not state interference.

June 30, 2023
New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ – JUNE 30, 2023 – This afternoon, the New Jersey Legislature passed the 2023-24 budget—the contents of which are a mixed bag in the fight against cancer. The budget now awaits Governor Murphy’s approval. While the state made sound investments in cancer screening and research, they missed an

Prevention and Cessation Resources

While overall smoking rates have declined in recent years, smoking rates remain higher among specific subpopulations, including African Americans. These differences are in large part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing through advertising, price discounting and other strategies.

While overall smoking rates have declined in recent years, smoking rates remain higher among specific subpopulations, including the LGBTQ+ community. These differences are in large part due to the tobacco industry’s targeted marketing through advertising, price discounting and other strategies.

Tobacco is still the number one cause of preventable death nationwide yet the current funding levels for tobacco control programs is not sufficient to prevent and address tobacco-related disparities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that states annually spend 12% of funds from tobacco taxes and lawsuits on tobacco control programs.