Tobacco Control

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Tobacco products are projected to kill one billion people worldwide this century. And the industry is showing no signs of slowing down, spending more than $9 billion on marketing each year. 

Despite the industry's deceptive and deadly practices, ACS CAN continues to have enormous success passing local, state and federal laws that prevent children from smoking, help adults quit and ensure the government uses its authority to regulate tobacco industry practices.

While our work has had an enormous impact on youth cigarette use - now at historic lows - the use of e-cigarettes among kids is skyrocketing.  This further reinforces the importance of continuing this lifesaving work.

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Protect our Children from Big Tobacco

The tobacco industry has preyed upon young people by marketing products that appeal to kids.

Latest Updates

January 28, 2025
Maine

In addition to lives saved, Mills' budget proposal will deliver short term revenue increases and reduce long term tobacco related healthcare costs for all Mainers.

January 27, 2025
Arizona

Advocates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) join Arizonans in mourning the loss of Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks, MD, a pioneer in Arizona’s tobacco control movement and President Emeritus of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking (ACAS). He passed away late Tuesday night at age 94.

January 22, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates will arrive at the Statehouse Wednesday for their annual Day at the Capitol. Cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers will ask lawmakers to make cancer a policy priority by leaving Medicaid expansion in place as voters intended

January 17, 2025
Hawaii

HONOLULU – A new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) released Thursday shows cancer diagnoses are now higher in women compared to men, revealing a shift in the burden of the disease. The report highlights and presents an opportunity for Hawaii State Lawmakers to work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) to support cancer prevention, treatment, and access to care during the 2025 legislative session.

Tobacco Control Resources

Comprehensive tobacco retailer licensing laws can reduce the harmful impact of the tobacco retail environment by regulating where and how tobacco retailers can operate and sell tobacco products as well as providing the licensing entity the authority to ensure tobacco retailers are complying with all applicable tobacco control laws.

In 1999, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against major tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris USA, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Altria to hold the industry accountable for more than 50 years of conspiring to defraud the public in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Big Tobacco, an industry which has for decades knowingly addicted and endangered the lives of millions of Americans for their own profit, must now post the truth about their deadly products, including at the point-of-sale (POS) for approximately 220,000 tobacco retailers.

The tobacco industry has a history of using litigation to avoid and delay laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the public. ACS CAN, with our tobacco control partners, has also relied on the courts to hold Big Tobacco accountable and to ensure the federal government is effectively implementing the Tobacco Control Act.