Lung Association Report Reveals Kentucky Must Focus on Increasing Funding for Nicotine Prevention and Quit Smoking Programs to Reduce Death and Disease

According to the American Lung Association’s 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, Kentucky’s grades show that the state must step up efforts to reduce nicotine use to protect communities. Kentucky’s action on nicotine prevention and cessation is especially critical due to the dramatic rollback of federal tobacco prevention efforts in 2025. 

Tobacco use remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and disease, claiming the lives of more than 8,860 state residents each year. The report urges Kentucky lawmakers to focus on increasing funding for nicotine prevention and quit smoking programs to curb nicotine use, especially those programs aimed at youth.

The 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, Kentucky received the following grades: 

1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
2. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
3. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade F
4. Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade C
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 prevention 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-related efforts. Walking away from the incredible progress the nation has made on reducing tobacco use over the past 50 years is unacceptable,” said Shannon Baker, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Kentucky. “States need to ramp up their prevention and cessation efforts even more to protect residents from disease and addiction.” 

In 2026, policymakers in Kentucky must focus on increasing funding for prevention and quit smoking programs; allocating $1.2 million per year in Juul settlement funds over the next 3-6 years for youth prevention and cessation; and supporting and defending local comprehensive smokefree laws, including e-cigarettes. Taking these steps will help protect our youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction and support Kentucky in building a healthier future for our families and generations to come,” says Baker.

Despite receiving $383,800,000 from tobacco settlement payments and tobacco taxes, Kentucky only funds tobacco control efforts at 10.4% of the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Lung Association urges Governor Beshear and the legislature to increase funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs to $4 million, a modest increase of $2 million over the current funding level.

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

• Federal 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

*The federal government gets an I for Incomplete in this category due to data not being able to be obtained about the duration, reach and frequency of the Real Cost campaign in 2025.

In the “State of Tobacco Control” report, the American Lung Association calls on the federal government to fully restore critical prevention and cessation 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 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 32nd Annual Derby Gala in Louisville is coming up on April 17, 2026. Learn more at Derbygala.org.