Wyoming Highlights
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Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Wyoming. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Wyoming's elected officials:
- Increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack, with parity across all tobacco products;
- Support state and/or local smokefree workplace laws; and
- Increase funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
The Lung Association continues to educate elected officials and the general public about the negative public health impacts of tobacco use in Wyoming, and the ongoing importance of providing adequately funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The most important tobacco control measure that Wyoming policymakers can pursue is raising the cigarette tax by at least $1.00 per pack and ensuring parity for tax rates among all tobacco products. In 2023, the Lung Association joined with partners to oppose a cigar industry bill that would have limited taxes on cigars. The bill eventually passed, but the objectionable parts of the legislation were removed.
The Lung Association is also committed to advocating for evidence-based tobacco prevention programs though the disbursement of Wyoming’s $5.8 million portion of settlement funds resulting from a multi-state lawsuit against Juul Labs.
2023 marked 20 years since the last time Wyoming legislators raised the cigarette tax. At $0.60 per pack, it remains among the lowest in the country. The Lung Association will continue working with partners to support a significant increase in taxes on cigarettes and all tobacco products. Raising tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to drive down smoking rates and prevent many young people from ever smoking at all. Additionally, funding generated from raising tobacco taxes provides a steady source of revenue for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, and other crucial public health needs.
Wyoming Facts |
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|---|---|
| Healthcare Costs Due to Smoking: | $257,674,019 |
| Adult Smoking Rate: | 15.50% |
| High School Smoking Rate: | 4.00% |
| High School Tobacco Use Rate: | N/A |
| Middle School Smoking Rate: | 1.30% |
| Smoking Attributable Deaths per Year: | 800 |
Adult smoking data come from CDC's 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. High school (10th and 12th grade only) and middle school (6th and 8th grade only) smoking rates are taken from the 2022 Wyoming Prevention Needs Assessment Survey. A current high school tobacco use 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.
Wyoming Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.