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

August 20, 2026
Oregon

OREGON CITY, ORE. – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauds Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff for calling on fellow mayors and city councils across Clackamas County to join her in asking for the Board of County Commissioners to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all

July 14, 2026
National

A coalition of public health organizations, pediatricians and parents today filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Food and Drug Administration’s new enforcement policy that allows e-cigarette and nicotine pouch products to be marketed and sold without the scientific review and marketing authorization required by federal law.

June 30, 2026
National

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following is a statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: “The FDA’s job is to protect public health, not expand the profit margins of Big Tobacco. Authorizing new modified risk claims for 20 Zyn nicotine products – including flavored

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

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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