American Lung Association Report: New Hampshire Earns Failing Grades Across the Board for Tobacco Control and Prevention
American Lung Association “State of Tobacco Control” report releases New Hampshire grades for tobacco control policies, outlines steps to reduce burden of tobaccoPORTSMOUTH, NH | January 28, 2025
A new report from the American Lung Association shows New Hampshire lawmakers continue to fail their constituents when it comes to the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report, which shows New Hampshire earning Failing or nearly failing grades across the board, evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends 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, New Hampshire received the following grades:
- Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
- Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade F
- Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
- Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade D
- Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
“In addition to grading New Hampshire’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 New Hampshire, we are seeing tobacco industry 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 Lance Boucher at the American Lung Association in New Hampshire. “In 2025, policymakers in New Hampshire must focus on increasing funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs, defending against rollbacks to and close loopholes in smokefree laws, and increase the cigarette excise tax and establish e-cigarette tax parity.”
Despite receiving over $226M from tobacco settlement payments, tobacco taxes and other state funding, New Hampshire only funds tobacco control efforts at 10.6% of the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Lung Association urges Governor Ayotte and the legislature to increase funding for tobacco prevention and quit-smoking programs.
In addition, the Lung Association’s report urges New Hampshire lawmakers to defend against rollbacks to and close loopholes in smoke-free laws, increase the cigarette excise tax, and establish e-cigarette tax parity. Increasing taxes on all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth.
Boucher continued, “In 2025, we urge legislators to consider the toll of these products and all tobacco products on public health and the future of New Hampshire families, and course correct by enacting and funding proven tobacco control policies.”
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 Trek Across Maine is coming up on June 13th. Learn more at TrekAcrossMaine.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.
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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:
Jennifer Solomon
(516) 680-8927
[email protected]
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