Tobacco Control

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Tobacco products are projected to kill one billion people worldwide this century. And the industry is showing no signs of slowing down, spending more than $9 billion on marketing each year. 

Despite the industry's deceptive and deadly practices, ACS CAN continues to have enormous success passing local, state and federal laws that prevent children from smoking, help adults quit and ensure the government uses its authority to regulate tobacco industry practices.

While our work has had an enormous impact on youth cigarette use - now at historic lows - the use of e-cigarettes among kids is skyrocketing.  This further reinforces the importance of continuing this lifesaving work.

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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

January 13, 2025
Maine

In proposing to increase Maine’s tax on cigarettes $1 per pack, Governor Mills’ has taken a historic step in the fight to curb tobacco product use among Mainers.

January 13, 2025
Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- As Washington legislators convene today for a new session, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network advocates will ask them to prioritize patients' ready access to needed and proven biomarker testing. Biomarker testing is about identifying the most effective treatment for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses.

January 9, 2025
Michigan

As the 2025 legislative session gets underway, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize improving access to cancer care and increasing funding for tobacco control programs to ease the burden of cancer in Michigan.

January 8, 2025
Indiana

As lawmakers dive into the 2025 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges legislators to prioritize passing legislation to ease the burden of cancer on Hoosiers.

Tobacco Control Resources

Implementation of graphic warnings in the U.S. has been thwarted by tobacco industry legal challenges. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), along with our partners, have fought back in the judicial system, using litigation to both compel the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue graphic warning regulations and help the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) defend the regulations finalized by FDA.

Tobacco use has been found to be one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities because its use disproportionately impacts people based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, mental health, income level, education level, and geographic location. Achieving health equity relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use. ACS CAN is pursuing fact-based tobacco control policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for everyone.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports a comprehensive approach to tobacco control that includes significantly increasing excise taxes on all tobacco products to generate revenue, protect kids, and save lives. Significant tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help adults quit.