Kentucky
Does your state make the grade?
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | Smokefree Air | Tobacco Taxes | Access to Cessation Services | Flavored Tobacco Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | F | F | C | F |
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | F |
|---|---|
| Smokefree Air | F |
| Tobacco Taxes | F |
| Access to Cessation Services | C |
| Flavored Tobacco Products | F |
The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Kentucky's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:
- Increase funding for the state tobacco prevention and cessation program to $4 million and ensure funding is spent according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Best Practices;
- Allocate $1.2 million per year in Juul settlement funds over the next 3-6 years for youth prevention and cessation; and
- Support and defend local comprehensive smokefree laws, including e-cigarettes.
Kentucky Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.
Kentucky Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $4,219,449 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,656,354* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $5,875,803 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $56,400,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 10.4% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $383,800,000 |
*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 | F |
|---|---|
| FY2026 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $4,219,449 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,656,354* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $5,875,803 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $56,400,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 10.4% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $383,800,000 |
*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 | F |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Restricted (prohibited in state government buildings) |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Prohibited |
| Childcare Facilities: | No provision |
| Restaurants: | No provision |
| Bars: | No provision |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | No provision |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: KY REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 61.165 (2006), 61.167 (2004), 438.050 (2019), 438.345 (2019) & EXEC. ORDER 2014-0747 (2014).
Note: The Smokefree Air grade only examines state tobacco control law and does not reflect local smokefree ordinances. Kentucky has made great strides in protecting people from secondhand smoke by passing comprehensive local smokefree ordinances that cover 39% of the state's population.
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 | F |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Restricted (prohibited in state government buildings) |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Prohibited |
| Childcare Facilities: | No provision |
| Restaurants: | No provision |
| Bars: | No provision |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | No provision |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Yes |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: KY REV. STAT. ANN. §§ 61.165 (2006), 61.167 (2004), 438.050 (2019), 438.345 (2019) & EXEC. ORDER 2014-0747 (2014).
Note: The Smokefree Air grade only examines state tobacco control law and does not reflect local smokefree ordinances. Kentucky has made great strides in protecting people from secondhand smoke by passing comprehensive local smokefree ordinances that cover 39% of the state's population.
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 | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $1.10 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: No; 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 | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $1.10 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: No; 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 Kentucky for covering a comprehensive cessation benefit for Medicaid enrollees with minimal barriers.
Access to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | C |
|---|---|
| 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: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $0.92; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | Yes |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Limits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See Kentucky Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Investment per smoker was calculated based on the 2022 BRFSS smoking data because Kentucky did not report 2023 BRFSS data.
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 | C |
|---|---|
| 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: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $0.92; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | Yes |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Limits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See Kentucky Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Investment per smoker was calculated based on the 2022 BRFSS smoking data because Kentucky did not report 2023 BRFSS data.
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 | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
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 | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
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