Tobacco - Overview
Updated: May 2010
States regulate various aspects of tobacco sales and use. From licensing retailers to funding cessation programs, states are active in controlling the use of tobacco and working to reduce the known negative health outcomes from tobacco use on the general public and smokers alike. Resources and links below provide information on the various categories of legislation.
Tobacco: Overview Resources
Current NCSL webpages and resources
Current NCSL Print Publications - four useful overview reports; also available to members for web download.
State Tobacco Cessation Programs - a new compilation of resources specific to quitting tobacco use.
State Wellness Initiatives -NCSL LegisBrief from March, 2010.
State Cigarette Excise Tax Information - A convenient 50-state chart, with links to original sources.
Enacted Smoke-Free Indoor Air Laws Postcard - 50- state chart with 2010 data.
State tobacco tax laws for 2007-2009 - a newly expanded list of recently signed laws.
2008 Tobacco tax legislation - 20+ state bills filed in 2008.
2009 Tobacco tax legislation- 17+ state bills filed in 2009.
Older/Archived NCSL webpages and resources
Environmental Tobacco Smoke- An NCSL LegisBrief on bans on public smoking, June/July 2004 (For NCSL registered users)
Curbing the Costs of Tobacco Use- A 2002 NCSL document describing the direct and indirect costs of tobacco use and how states can reduce the health and economic burden of tobacco use.
Outside resources*
*NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Smoking & Tobacco Home Page
Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs- 2007
Second Hand Smoke Fact Sheet
State Data
Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking
Smoking & Tobacco Use FAQs
American Academy of Pediatrics
Tobacco Policy Statement- Tobacco Use: A Pediatric Disease
American Cancer Society
Tobacco & Cancer
Smoke Free Communities
American Lung Association
State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues database (SLATI)
State of Tobacco Control Report- 2009  Features ALA's state grades, federal grades, and trend reports.
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Tobacco Taxes: A Win-Win-Win for Cash-Strapped States, Feb. 2010
History of State Spending for Tobacco Control FY 2000-2010
Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes
Legislative Updates
Philip Morris USA/Altria
Legislative Issues
Public Health Law & Policy/Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
Regulating Tobacco Marketing
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
Responsible Marketing and Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)
The Smokers Club Inc./Smokers Rights Group
Newsletter
Other Tobacco Policy Groups & Organizations*
American Cancer Society
American Legacy Foundation
American Lung Association
Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Tobacco Control Legal Consortium/Tobacco Law Center
*NOTE: NCSL provides links to other Web sites from time to time for information purposes only. Providing these links does not necessarily indicate NCSL's support or endorsement of the site.
NCSL Publications
State Funding for Community Health Centers (a LegisBrief)
Community health centers provide affordable, high-quality primary and preventive care services to low-income and medically underserved adults and children. States support these centers with tobacco settlement funds, assessments, grants and general fund money. Published: 2007
State Roles In Tobacco Policy: A Snapshot for State Legislature  (a 24 page booklet)
In their role as guardians of the public's health, states play a significant role in determining state tobacco policies, including youth access issues, restricting environmental tobacco smoke, and supporting cessation programs. States also can explore the consequences of levying excise taxes and determining how the revenues will be used. Published: 2005
State Tobacco Tax Trends (a LegisBrief)
Cigarettes and other tobacco products have been recent targets for excise tax increases. More than half the states have raised rates over the past two years. Tax increases often have the dual purpose of raising revenue and discouraging tobacco use. Published: 2005
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (a LegisBrief)
Environmental tobacco smoke is a combination of smoke from burning tobacco products and exhaled smoke. Environmental air quality continues to command the attention of legislators, and the debate about voluntary versus legislated restrictions persists. Published: 2004
NCSL Resources
Submit a question to NCSL (Legislators & staff only)
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