Tobacco Regulation and Products

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In 2009, we won a hard-fought campaign that led to Congress passing a law granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate all tobacco products, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah. Yet, it took the FDA seven years to begin their oversight of many of these products with much more work left to be done. 

Recent spikes in the use of e-cigarettes makes clear that more must be done to regulate tobacco products and the industry's deceptive marketing practices.  We are working to ensure the government fully leverages the regulatory power it now possesses to protect children and adults. 

Tobacco use costs our nation nearly $300 billion in health care and productivity losses each year.

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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

March 24, 2025
Montana

HELENA, Mont. –– Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates from throughout the state called on lawmakers Monday to honor the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act and kill Senate Bill 150, which would allow cigar smoking in restaurants, bars and gaming facilities that are currently smoke-free. State polling shows that 89%

March 12, 2025
Oregon

SALEM, Oregon —— Jane Leo has been named the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director for Oregon. She will lead ACS CAN’s efforts to advance legislation and public policies to reduce the cancer burden, specifically ending the sale of flavored and menthol tobacco in her

January 21, 2025
Oregon

SALEM, Ore. –– On the first day of the 2025 Oregon Legislature, advocates of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network call on lawmakers to finish the job and end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all other flavored tobacco products. Big Tobacco continues to use flavors to target its

January 15, 2025
National

Today, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a proposed rule to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes and certain other combusted tobacco products to minimally additive or nonaddictive levels.

Tobacco Regulation and Products Resources

Tobacco use has been found to be one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities because its use disproportionately impacts people based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, mental health, income level, education level, and geographic location. Achieving health equity relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use. ACS CAN is pursuing fact-based tobacco control policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for everyone.

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is an occupational hazard for many casino workers – from dealers to security. But when smoking is permitted in casinos, no one – even patrons – is safe from SHS exposure. Job-related exposure to SHS is a significant, but entirely preventable, cause of premature death among U.S. workers.

 

All tobacco products, including heated tobacco products, are unsafe. Heated tobacco products involve heating rather than burning the tobacco leaf, which is why the tobacco industry refers to them as “heat-not-burn” or non-combustible cigarettes. These products differ from e-cigarettes which heat a liquid.