Mississippi Highlights

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Mississippi. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Mississippi's elected officials:

Tobacco prevention and control issues were not a priority for the Mississippi Legislature in 2025. While comprehensive statewide smokefree bills that would have eliminated smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos were introduced, all of them died in committee. There were also two bills introduced that would have increased the e-cigarette and vapor product tax by 15%. While the filed tax bills died early in committee, there was also increased legislative activity to secure tobacco industry priorities such as the two U.S. Food and Drug Administration premarket tobacco application e-cigarette registry-related bills.

House Bill 916, also known as the Mississippi E-Cigarette Registry Bill, was approved by the Governor in May 2025. Lawmakers claimed the bill would address the youth e-cigarette epidemic. “Directory bills” like HB916 are being introduced across the country by major tobacco companies as a way to cut out competitors and increase market share while distracting legislators from enacting policies with proven public health benefits, such as higher tobacco taxes, statewide comprehensive smokefree air law, and restricting flavored tobacco products. The American Lung Association and partners continue to support proven tobacco control policies that provide public health benefits for our youth.

There continues to be significant support in local municipalities for public health protections from secondhand smoke. According to the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center, Mississippi Tobacco Data, a total of 189 cities and 7 counties have adopted comprehensive smokefree ordinances that cover private workplaces, restaurants and bars. This accounts for approximately 37% of Mississippians being protected by smokefree policies.

In 2026, the American Lung Association will continue to advocate for the benefits of tobacco control policies, including the need to protect all workers by passing comprehensive protections from secondhand smoke. In order to meet the bold goals in Mississippi, state legislators will need to recognize the health and economic burden of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke in our state. The Lung Association will also continue to work with partners to ensure successful passage and preservation of comprehensive local smokefree ordinances.