Ohio Highlights

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

In the 2025 legislative session, Governor Mike DeWine included numerous tobacco prevention priorities in his proposed budget, including a $1.50 increase in the state cigarette tax reflecting his long-standing commitment to tobacco prevention. However, the legislature removed the proposed tax increase and failed to include other key provisions such as e-cigarette distributor licensing, flavor restrictions, and restoring the Tobacco Use Prevention Fund (TUPF) to $10 million. Instead, TUPF was disappointingly reduced to $6 million. County-level cigarette and tobacco product taxes, as part of a broader “sin” tax package, were approved to fund sports facilities in Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties, pending voter approval.

In response to Columbus's 2022 ordinance stopping flavored tobacco sales, Governor DeWine also vetoed two legislative attempts to preempt local tobacco regulation. Unfortunately, the Ohio Senate overrode the veto in January 2024, threatening local tobacco control efforts. The Lung Association supports legal challenges from Columbus and other municipalities to this preemption provision. In July 2025, the 10th Appellate District Court ruled that Ohio Revised Code 9.681, which prohibits local tobacco regulation, is unconstitutional under Ohio's home rule provisions. The State of Ohio has appealed this decision to the Ohio Supreme Court. If upheld, municipalities will retain the authority to regulate tobacco products locally, including halting flavored tobacco sales.

Locally, progress continues. In March 2025, the Cleveland City Council passed the Smoke Shop Legislative Package, which includes tobacco retail licensure, zoning changes, and advertising regulations. In August, Euclid City Council prohibited smoking and vaping on all public property, including parks and pools, with a $150 fine for violations.

Despite these efforts, tobacco prevention work in Ohio remains at risk due to federal funding cuts to the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health. Ohio continues to spend only 6.4% of the CDC's recommended amount for tobacco control. The revenue raised by increasing taxes on tobacco products could help fund further increases in tobacco control and prevention funding.

The American Lung Association remains committed to working with coalition partners to advance tobacco control policies. As the legislature prepares for the 2026 session, the Lung Association will continue to educate policymakers, business leaders, and the media on the importance of reducing tobacco use and protecting public health.