New Report Reveals South Dakota Must Do More to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

A new report from the American Lung Association urges South Dakota lawmakers to protect the funding for the state tobacco prevention and treatment programs, as well as increase the tax on all tobacco products 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 prevent nicotine dependence and protect kids.

In the 2025 report, South Dakota received the following grades:

1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
2. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade B
3. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – 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 addition to grading South Dakota’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,” said Molly Collins, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in South Dakota. “Here in South Dakota, we are seeing industry lobbyists working to stop or weaken proven tobacco control policies. The 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.”

Collins added: “In 2025, policymakers in South Dakota must protect funding for South Dakota’s tobacco prevention and treatment programs, focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products, and amend the state law that prevents the state Medicaid program from covering all tobacco cessation medications. Unfortunately, our state legislature is considering a bill that would dramatically cut the funding for tobacco prevention programs, despite continuing to receive millions in tobacco tax revenue. Investing in programs to help people quit or never start using tobacco products saves our state money in the long term, since tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease.”

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.

Media Resources:

• B-Roll is available here:
  • Tobacco Products: Broll TobaccoProducts. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box
  • E-Cigarettes: Broll Ecigarettes. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box

American Lung Association logos are available here: Media | American Lung Association