South Carolina
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 | B | F |
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | F |
|---|---|
| Smokefree Air | F |
| Tobacco Taxes | F |
| Access to Cessation Services | B |
| Flavored Tobacco Products | F |
The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by South Carolina's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:
- Increase funding for South Carolina tobacco prevention and control;
- Increase the cigarette tax by a $1.00 per pack or more and equalize taxes for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; and
- Strengthen tobacco retail licensing laws, including electronic cigarette retailers.
South Carolina Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.
South Carolina 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: | $6,946,505 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,720,878* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $8,667,383 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $51,000,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 17% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $181,900,000 |
*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: | $6,946,505 |
| FY2026 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $1,720,878* |
| FY2026 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $8,667,383 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $51,000,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 17% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $181,900,000 |
*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 |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Restricted |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | No provision |
| Bars: | No provision |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Only in K-12 Schools and on School Property |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: S.C. CODE ANN. §§ 44-95-10 et seq. & 59-1-380 (2023).
Note: The Smokefree Air grade only examines state law and does not reflect local smokefree ordinances. South Carolina has made great strides in protecting people from secondhand smoke by passing comprehensive local smokefree ordinances that cover 31.7% 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 |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Restricted |
| Childcare Facilities: | Prohibited |
| Restaurants: | No provision |
| Bars: | No provision |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | Only in K-12 Schools and on School Property |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | No |
Citation: S.C. CODE ANN. §§ 44-95-10 et seq. & 59-1-380 (2023).
Note: The Smokefree Air grade only examines state law and does not reflect local smokefree ordinances. South Carolina has made great strides in protecting people from secondhand smoke by passing comprehensive local smokefree ordinances that cover 31.7% 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: | $0.57 |
| 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: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: N/A; Weight-Based: N/A |
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: | $0.57 |
| 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: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: N/A; Weight-Based: N/A |
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 for South Carolina for covering a comprehensive cessation benefit for Medicaid enrollees with minimal barriers.
Access to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | B |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | No |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | Most medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | No barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $6.23; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | No prohibition or limitation on tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See South Carolina Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
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 | B |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Minimal barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | No |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | Most medications are covered |
| Counseling: | All 3 types of counseling are covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | No barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $6.23; the median investment per smoker is $2.62 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | No prohibition or limitation on tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See South Carolina Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
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