New Report Reveals Hawai‘i Must Focus on Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use
American Lung Association “State of Tobacco Control” report releases Hawai‘i grades for tobacco control policies, outlines steps to reduce burden of tobaccoHONOLULU, HI | January 29, 2025
A new report from the American Lung Association urges Hawai‘i lawmakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, 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 proven-effective 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, Hawai‘i received the following grades:
- Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade C
- Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade A
- Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade B
- Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade B
- Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
“In addition to grading Hawai‘I’s tobacco control policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report examines the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. Here in Hawai‘i, we are seeing tobacco industry lobbyists at the local level working to stop or weaken proven tobacco control policies. The tobacco industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers,” said Pedro Haro, Executive Director at the American Lung Association in Hawai‘i. “In 2025, policymakers in Hawai‘i must focus on ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, repealing state preemption of county tobacco control authority, and increase funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs by protecting the Master Settlement Agreement funds.”
Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes will reduce tobacco-caused disparities and save lives as the most recent Surgeon General’s report on tobacco released in November 2024 makes clear. Of the over 85% of kids who use flavored e-cigarettes, use flavored products. Menthol cigarettes continue to be the major cause of tobacco-related death and disease in communities of color. Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, will not only reduce youth tobacco use, but will address health disparities.
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.
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.
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The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events.
For more information, contact:
Katie Geraghty
310-359-6386
[email protected]
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