House of Delegates Takes Bold Stand Against Big Tobacco
West Virginia Can and Must Do Better When It Comes to Reducing Tobacco Use
Michelle Zimmerman
Associate Director, Regional Media Advocacy
Ohio House Turns Their Backs on Ohio Kids by Prioritizing Big Tobacco
Ohio Can and Must Do Better When It Comes to Reducing Tobacco Use
April 9, 2025
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Today, the Ohio House passed its version of the budget, which axed the increased tobacco taxes and funding for programs to reduce tobacco use proposed by Gov. DeWine. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) strongly opposes this move and calls on lawmakers to reverse this course of action.
The following is a Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Leo Almeida:
“Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ohio, leading to 20,200 deaths each year, including 33.5% of cancer deaths. That is why it is unthinkable that today, the Ohio House passed the budget, which removed Gov. Mike DeWine's proposal to increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack and taxes on other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase would have generated $318.82 million in new annual revenue, kept 11,800 Ohio youth from becoming adults who smoke and saved 14,200 lives.
“The House also slashed funding for the Ohio Department of Health’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program. The Governor proposed an increase in funding to $10 million per year, which the House ignored and chose to cut funding to $6 million per year. With Big Tobacco spending $409.6 million marketing their deadly and addictive products in our state annually, well-funded, fact-based tobacco control programs are needed more than ever.
“The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network applauds the governor for standing up for public health and calls on the Senate to do better than the House by adding the cigarette tax increase along with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products at 42% of their wholesale price and increased funding for tobacco prevention and cessation back into the budget.
“Ohio can and must do better to reduce the toll of tobacco and save lives.”
More Press Releases About