Tobacco Control

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.

Take Action

Smoke

Urge the FDA to say "no" to Big Tobacco's use of flavors in their products!

For years, Big Tobacco has used flavored products and predatory marketing practices to lure kids and communities of color to their deadly products. This needs to stop. 

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 4, 2023
Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, PA – AUGUST 4, 2023 – Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed and Governor Shapiro certified the 2023-24 budget—the contents of which communicate to all Pennsylvanians that their health is a priority. To mark this important step, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) responded with the following

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.

July 4, 2023
Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed language from the state’s operating budget bill which would have removed control from local governments. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network commends the Governor for standing up for Ohio’s youth and keeping local government rights to pass laws stronger than the state law, which is proven to promote good health and well-being.

Tobacco Control Resources

Sustained, dedicated federal investment in tobacco control through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) is necessary to prevent initiation of tobacco products, monitor tobacco product use, identify tobacco related disparities, and promote effective strategies to help individuals who use tobacco products to successfully quit.

Tobacco excise taxes benefit people with limited incomes and reduce tobacco-related health disparities, especially when tobacco excise tax revenues are dedicated to cessation programs that serve people with limited incomes.

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.