Tobacco Prevention

Preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults is critical to ending tobacco-related lung disease.

Close to 95% of people who smoke try their first cigarette before age 21, making it vitally important to pass policies and provide funding for prevention programs to stop tobacco use before it starts. The American Lung Association supports funding for federal, state and local programs that prevent kids and young adults from starting to use tobacco and increasing the minimum age for tobacco sales to 21.

Tobacco Prevention Program Funding

The American Lung Association strongly supports funding state tobacco prevention and quit programs at levels recommended by the CDC. Sustained investment in these vital public health programs over the long term will prevent thousands of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths and save billions of dollars in medical expenses.

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Tobacco 21 Laws

The American Lung Association has advocated for increasing the minimum age of sale for tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, because it will help save lives. In December 2019, both houses of Congress passed legislation that increased the tobacco sales age to 21 nationwide. Then President Trump signed it, making it the law of the land.
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State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues

This resource tracks state tobacco control laws, such as those related to tobacco taxes and restrictions on smoking in public places and workplaces. This is updated on an ongoing basis. It is the only comprehensive summary of tobacco control laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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Page last updated: September 10, 2024

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