New Report: Georgia Lags Behind Nation in Tobacco Control Policies; Increasing Tobacco Tax Critical to Preventing Death and Disease

According to the American Lung Association’s “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, Georgia continues to lag behind the rest of the country in policy efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use. The state received all failing grades in this year’s report. 

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Georgia and across the country, claiming the lives of 11,690 state residents each year. 12% of adults in Georgia currently use cigarettes, and 19.3% of adults use tobacco products, which includes e-cigarettes. Additionally, 18.8% of high school students use tobacco products, potentially setting kids up for a lifetime of nicotine addiction.

In the 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report, Georgia received the following grades:

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

The findings underscore the need for Georgia lawmakers to focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use.

Increasing taxes on all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth. Studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth. Georgia should increase its tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack and make the tax on other tobacco products equal to the cigarette tax.

“The tobacco industry has deployed increasingly aggressive tactics to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said Danna Thompson, director of advocacy at the Lung Association in Georgia. “Here in Georgia, tobacco industry lobbyists are 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.”

Thompson added: “This year, our policymakers must focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products and passing legislation to ensure all Georgia Medicaid enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based treatments to quit tobacco without barriers to access.”

At the national level, 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.

“We’re encouraging Georgians to join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future,” said Dr. Jannifer Harper, chair of the Lung Association’s Georgia Leadership Board. “Make your voice heard by signing the Lung Association’s petition at Lung.org/sotc. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”

The “State of Tobacco Control” report, released annually since 2002, evaluates states and the federal government on laws and policies that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. To learn more about this year’s grades, including federal grades, and to sign the petition, visit Lung.org/sotc.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb Atlanta is returning to Promenade Tower on Saturday, May 3. Learn more at ClimbAtlanta.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.