New Report: Tobacco Use Is the Leading Cause of Preventable Death in South Carolina; Increased Funding for Tobacco Control Critical

American Lung Association’s annual “State of Tobacco Control” report outlines steps to prevent disease and death

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

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in South Carolina and across the country, claiming the lives of 7,230 state residents each year. 12.1% of adults in South Carolina currently use cigarettes, and 19.8% of adults use tobacco products, which includes e-cigarettes.

In the 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report, South Carolina 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 B
  5. Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

The findings underscore the need for South Carolina lawmakers to focus on fully funding tobacco control at the recommended level by the Center for Disease Control to reduce the overwhelming health burden of tobacco use.

“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 South Carolina. “Here in South Carolina, we are seeing tobacco industry lobbyists 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 fully funding tobacco control at the CDC recommended level, strengthening tobacco retail licensing laws, including electronic cigarette retailers, and increasing the cigarette tax by a $1.00 per pack or more and equalize taxes for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”

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 South Carolinians to join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future,” said TJ Thompson, chair of the Lung Association’s South Carolina Leadership Board and president of Atlantic Respiratory Services. “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 “Lip Sync for Lungs” fundraiser is returning to Charleston Music Hall on Thursday, February 27. Learn more at LipSyncForLungs.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.

For more information, contact:

Victoria O'Neill
(312) 273-5890
[email protected]

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