Lung Association Report Reveals Effective Colorado Tobacco Prevention Program; Legislation to End Flavored Tobacco Sales Remains Critical Gap

According to the American Lung Association’s 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, Colorado’s grades show that the state is stepping up its work on tobacco control and prevention despite a dramatic rollback of federal tobacco prevention efforts in 2025. Funding that voters dedicated to tobacco prevention efforts in past ballot measures is being used effectively to reduce youth tobacco use and improve support for Coloradans who want to quit. Local policymakers are leading the way in adopting proven tobacco prevention policies like Denver’s new law ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. The Lung Association’s report urges state lawmakers to follow the example of their local counterparts.

Tobacco use remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and disease, claiming the lives of more than 5,070 state residents each year. The report urges Colorado lawmakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes to curb tobacco use.

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 2026 report, Colorado received the following grades: 

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

In 2025, the tobacco control and prevention landscape fundamentally changed when the administration took a series of actions that weakened enforcement and jeopardized public health efforts across the country. These included the virtual elimination of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health, major staffing cuts to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products and delaying Congressionally appropriated funding for nearly six months. As a result, tobacco control and Quitline programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were left at risk of shutting down, with some states drastically reducing lifesaving services. 

“It is devastating to see the federal government largely abandon its tobacco control efforts. Walking away from the incredible progress the nation has made on reducing tobacco use over the past 50 years is unacceptable,” said Nick Torres, director of advocacy at the American Lung Association in Colorado. “States need to ramp up their tobacco prevention efforts even more to protect residents from disease and addiction caused by tobacco use. In 2026, policymakers in Colorado must focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes; expanding local tobacco retail licensure programs; and protecting and close remaining loopholes in state or local smokefree laws.”

Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, will reduce tobacco use, including in communities most impacted, and save lives. The most recent Surgeon General’s report on tobacco released in November 2024 makes this clear. Close to 90% of kids who vape use flavored products. Menthol cigarettes continue to be the major cause of tobacco-related death and disease in Black communities due to extensive and ongoing tobacco industry marketing. Close to 80% of Black individuals who smoke use menthol cigarettes.

Federal Grades Overview
The 2026 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five areas: 

• Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade D
• 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: I*
• Federal Funding for Tobacco Prevention and Control – Grade: B

In the “State of Tobacco Control” report, the American Lung Association calls on the federal government to fully restore critical tobacco control programs, including CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. Federal leadership is essential. In the current absence of federal leadership, the organization is calling on state legislatures to advance strong, fact-based tobacco control policies that protect communities and reduce tobacco use. 

To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and take action, visit Lung.org/sotc.

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.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The elegant “Affair for Air” Gala in Denver is coming up on February 28, 2026. Learn more today here.