Tobacco Regulation and Products

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In 2009, we won a hard-fought campaign that led to Congress passing a law granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate all tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah. Yet, it took the FDA seven years to begin their oversight of many of these products with much more work left to be done. 

Recent spikes in the use of e-cigarettes makes clear that more must be done to regulate tobacco products and the industry's deceptive marketing practices.  We are working to ensure the government fully leverages the regulatory power it now possesses to protect children and adults. 

Tobacco use costs our nation nearly $300 billion in health care and productivity losses each year.

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Protect our Children from Big Tobacco

The tobacco industry has preyed upon young people by marketing products that appeal to kids.

Latest Updates

June 1, 2026
Arizona

Public health organizations across Arizona are raising concerns that HB 4001, which recently passed the Arizona Senate, leaves significant gaps in protecting kids from tobacco and nicotine products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with the American Heart Association, American Lung

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

May 6, 2026
National

Late Tuesday, May 5th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the authorization of four new flavored e-cigarette products, including two non-tobacco, non-menthol flavors.

March 23, 2026
National

As new federal data show continued declines in youth tobacco use, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reject any effort to authorize new flavored tobacco products, including coffee, mint and cinnamon. Flavors have long been used by Big Tobacco to appeal to and addict young people to their deadly products.

Tobacco Regulation and Products Resources

Comprehensive tobacco retailer licensing laws can reduce the harmful impact of the tobacco retail environment by regulating where and how tobacco retailers can operate and sell tobacco products as well as providing the licensing entity the authority to ensure tobacco retailers are complying with all applicable tobacco control laws.

The tobacco industry has a history of using litigation to avoid and delay laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the public. ACS CAN, with our tobacco control partners, has also relied on the courts to hold Big Tobacco accountable and to ensure the federal government is effectively implementing the Tobacco Control Act.

Big tobacco has a history of prioritizing corporate profits over people and communities burdened by tobacco-related illness and death. For decades, the tobacco industry has lied to specific communities and the public at large saying their products are not addictive, harmful or deadly. Tobacco manufacturers continue to create and flood the market with newly designed products they market as being less harmful and alternatives to quitting – a tactic that is not new.

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