California
Does your state make the grade?
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | Smokefree Air | Tobacco Taxes | Access to Cessation Services | Flavored Tobacco Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | B | C | A | B |
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | D |
|---|---|
| Smokefree Air | B |
| Tobacco Taxes | C |
| Access to Cessation Services | A |
| Flavored Tobacco Products | B |
The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by California's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:
- Fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended levels.
- Enact smokefree laws, particularly limitations on secondhand smoke exposure.
California Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.
California Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $171,205,333 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $3,552,129* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $174,757,462 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $347,900,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 50.2% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $1,969,100,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $171,205,333 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $3,552,129* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $174,757,462 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $347,900,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 50.2% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $1,969,100,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | B |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Prohibited |
| Private Workplaces: | Prohibited (live events that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt) |
| Schools: | Prohibited (public schools only) |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | Prohibited (restaurants that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt) |
| Bars: | Prohibited |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | Prohibited (tribal establishments not subject to state law) |
| Retail Stores: | Prohibited |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes (marijuana e-cigarettes at certain venues in some communities exempt) |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: CA LABOR CODE § 6404.5 (2024); CA GOVT. CODE §§ 7596 to 7598 (2016); CA EDUC. CODE §§ 48900(h) & 48901 (2016); & CA HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 1596.795 (2016).
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | B |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Prohibited |
| Private Workplaces: | Prohibited (live events that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt) |
| Schools: | Prohibited (public schools only) |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | Prohibited (restaurants that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt) |
| Bars: | Prohibited |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | Prohibited (tribal establishments not subject to state law) |
| Retail Stores: | Prohibited |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes (marijuana e-cigarettes at certain venues in some communities exempt) |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: CA LABOR CODE § 6404.5 (2024); CA GOVT. CODE §§ 7596 to 7598 (2016); CA EDUC. CODE §§ 48900(h) & 48901 (2016); & CA HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 1596.795 (2016).
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $2.87 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $2.87 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take Action
Thumbs up to California for covering a comprehensive cessation benefit for Medicaid enrollees with minimal barriers.
Access to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | A |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | Yes |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | Most medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $4.08; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | Yes |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Prohibits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See California Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionAccess to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | A |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | Yes |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | Most medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $4.08; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | Yes |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Prohibits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See California Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | B |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | Most flavored tobacco products prohibited |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | B |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | Most flavored tobacco products prohibited |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take Action