New Report Reveals Importance of Funding for Tobacco Prevention and Quit Smoking Programs to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

American Lung Association “State of Tobacco Control” report releases Alaska grades for tobacco control policies, outlines steps to reduce burden of tobacco

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Alaska lawmakers to focus on increasing funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends specific  tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.  

The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. In the 2025 report, Alaska received the following grades:  

  1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade B 
  2. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade B 
  3. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade D 
  4. Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade B 
  5. Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F 

“This year’s report highlights the opportunities we have in Alaska to protect our youth and our public health from tobacco use. Ensuring we have adequate funding for a robust tobacco prevention program and adequate access to quit programs is vital. Protecting our clean indoor air laws do ensure all people in Alaska have healthy air to breathe is also critical,” said Carrie Nyssen, Senior Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Alaska. “In 2025, policymakers in Alaska need to be resolute in maintaining our strong protections from secondhand smoke in workplaces. Everyone has the right to breathe clean air at work and in public places.” 

Federal Grades Overview 

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five areas:  

  • Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade C  
  • Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments – Grade D 
  • Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes – Grade F 
  • Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use – Grade: A 
  • Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Grade: A 

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report urges Congress to provide additional funding to the FDA so they can enforce against and remove all illegal e-cigarettes the tobacco industry has introduced to the market. To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and sign the petition, visit Lung.org/sotc

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Clean Air Challenge in Talkeetna is coming up on May 10th, 2025. Learn more at  CleanAirChallengeAK.org

State grades in “State of Tobacco Control” reflect actions taken by elected officials and do not reflect on the hard work of state tobacco control programs or advocates. 

For more information, contact:

Katie Geraghty
310-359-6386
[email protected]

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