Georgia Highlights
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Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Georgia. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Georgia's elected officials:
- Increase the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack or more and equalize taxes for all tobacco products, including e-cigarette;
- Pass legislation to ensure all Georgia Medicaid enrollees have access to the full array of evidence-based treatments to quit tobacco without barriers to access; and
- Increase funding for the Georgia tobacco prevention and control program.
Once again, a tobacco and retail industry backed bill, House Bill 577, was introduced aiming to create a nicotine vapor products directory based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration pre-market tobacco application status. While this bill passed the House, it failed to get a committee hearing in the Senate. On the final day of session, the bill sponsor snuck the vape directory language into another unrelated bill, but the American Lung Association was successful in educating Senate leadership on the issue and it did not get a vote.
The legislature established several legislative study committees during the 2025 session—including those focused on cancer care access, smoking-related costs and effects, and public health funding. These committees are laying the groundwork for future policy improvements that will directly impact tobacco-related harm, and public health infrastructure.
The American Lung Association began a new partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, whereby we are implementing a statewide youth vaping education initiative. The campaign aims to provide schools with resources and education and prevent early exposure to vaping.
Due to federal funding cuts, the entire Georgia Tobacco Prevention and Control staff was eliminated, making state funding a top priority for 2026. We will continue to work with our tobacco control partners to educate public officials on the health and economic benefits of strong tobacco control policies, including the state policy goals highlighted above.
Georgia Facts |
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|---|---|
| Healthcare Costs Due to Smoking: | $3,182,695,641 |
| Adult Smoking Rate: | 12.00% |
| Adult Tobacco Use Rate: | 19.30% |
| High School Smoking Rate: | 3.30% |
| High School Tobacco Use Rate: | 18.80% |
| Middle School Smoking Rate: | N/A |
| Smoking Attributable Deaths per Year: | 11,690 |
Adult smoking and tobacco use data come from CDC's 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; adult tobacco use includes cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes. High school smoking and tobacco use rates are taken from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. A current middle school smoking rate is not available for this state.
Health impact information is taken from the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) software. Smoking-attributable deaths reflect average annual estimates for the period 2005-2009 and are calculated for persons aged 35 years and older. Smoking-attributable healthcare expenditures are based on 2004 smoking-attributable fractions and 2009 personal healthcare expenditure data. Deaths and expenditures should not be compared by state.
Health impact information is taken from the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) software. Smoking-attributable deaths reflect average annual estimates for the period 2005-2009 and are calculated for persons aged 35 years and older. Smoking-attributable healthcare expenditures are based on 2004 smoking-attributable fractions and 2009 personal healthcare expenditure data. Deaths and expenditures should not be compared by state.
Georgia Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.