Washington Must Focus on Increasing Funding for Tobacco Prevention and Quit Smoking Programs to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

American Lung Association “State of Tobacco Control” report releases Washington grades for tobacco control policies, outlines steps to reduce burden of tobacco

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Washington lawmakers to focus on increasing funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs 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, Washington received the following grades:  

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

“In addition to grading Washington’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 Washington, 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 Carrie Nyssen, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Washington. “In 2025, policymakers in Washington must focus on increasing funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs, ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, and ensuring the promotion of evidence-based public policies.” 

In Olympia, legislation has been introduced to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products (HB 1203 and SB 5183). “This legislation is a step in the right direction and has the full support of the American Lung Association. Flavors have been used for decades to lure people to tobacco products,” said Nyssen. “Removing flavored products from Washington’s shelves will protect the health of our youth.”  

Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, will reduce tobacco-caused health disparities and save lives as the most recent Surgeon General’s report on tobacco released in November 2024 makes clear. Of 85% of youth who vape use flavored products. Menthol cigarettes continue to be the major cause of tobacco-related death and disease in Black communities, with over 80% of Black individuals who smoke using them. Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, will not only reduce youth tobacco use, but will help address health disparities. 

Despite receiving $404,900,000 from tobacco settlement payments, tobacco taxes and other state funding, Washington 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 Ferguson and the legislature to increase funding for tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs. 

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. 

For more information, contact:

Katie Geraghty
310-359-6386
[email protected]

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