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

March 4, 2026
Pennsylvania

As state lawmakers begin to negotiate the annual budget, cancer survivors from across Pennsylvania are expressing concern that the state is falling behind in its efforts to meaningfully address tobacco use.

March 4, 2026
Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Mar – American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) volunteer advocates from across the state today urged lawmakers to take a stand against Big Tobacco and to prioritize the health and quality of life of Wyomingites over distant corporations that reap massive profits from peddling deadly,

February 26, 2026
Kentucky

FRANKFORT, KY. – The Kentucky House passed its version of the budget, which cuts funding for tobacco prevention and programs that help those already addicted quit. The following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Doug Hogan: “Tobacco use remains the leading cause

February 11, 2026
Utah

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts this legislative session to reduce the toll of tobacco on Utahns. Along with partner organizations, ACS CAN is urging state lawmakers to support HB 337 which would increase the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack while also ensuring

Tobacco Control 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.

In 1999, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against major tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Altria to hold the industry accountable for more than 50 years of conspiring to defraud the public in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Big Tobacco, an industry which has for decades knowingly addicted and endangered the lives of millions of Americans for their own profit, must now post the truth about their deadly products, including at the point-of-sale (POS) for approximately 220,000 tobacco retailers.

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.