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Lung Association Report: Cuts to Federal Tobacco Prevention Efforts Put U.S. Lives at Risk
The report highlights 2.25 million youth tobacco users and urges Congress to restore federal tobacco control programs cut in 2025 to prevent losing progress.
- From Chicago, the American Lung Association published its 24th annual "State of Tobacco Control" report, warning the largest federal rollback in decades is jeopardizing progress and urging action in 2026.
- Policy changes in 2025 saw the administration weaken enforcement by reducing funding and staffing for federal tobacco programs, according to the American Lung Association report, including nearly six-month appropriations delays.
- Though youth tobacco use is at the lowest level in 25 years, 2.25 million middle and high school students still use tobacco, and adult smoking rates fell from 23.3% in 2000 to 10.8% in 2023.
- State programs now face risks as cuts and delays left tobacco control and quitline programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia at risk, and the American Lung Association urged Congress to restore funding.
- The report highlights state grade disparities, noting 46 states earned F grades on flavored tobacco sales while Maine passed a $1.50 cigarette tax and nearly $2 million prevention funding.
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The number of smokers is dwindling, but SC could do more to stop tobacco usage, report says
Fewer people in South Carolina are smoking every year, but a report the American Lung Association released Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, said the state could do more to reduce usage amid federal cuts. (Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)COLUMBIA — The number of smokers in South Carolina has dropped in recent years, but the state could do more to discourage tobacco use, according to a report from the American Lung Association released Wednesday. Wit…
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Total News Sources36
Leaning Left2Leaning Right3Center20Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
C 80%
12%
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