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Tobacco - Overview

Updated: May 2008

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.  Resouces and links below provide information on the various categories of legislation.


Tobacco: Overview Resources

Current NCSL webpages and resouces
Current NCSL Print Publications - four useful overview reports from 2005-07; also available to members  for web download.
State tobacco cessation programs - a new compilation of resources specific to quitting tobacco use.  Published May 2008.New item
State cigarette excise tax information - A convenient 50-state chart, with links to original sources.
State tobacco tax laws for 2007-2008 - a newky expanded list of recently signed laws.New item

2008 Tobacco tax legislation - 20+ state bills filed or pending for 2008, as of April 26, '08.New item

FAQs regarding tobacco and tobacco policy - user-friendly questions and answers to eight key questions affecting state policy. 

Older/Archived NCSL webpages and resources
Cigarette Taxes, Revenues and Smoking Rates- An NCSL State Health Notes article on the affects of raising taxes, July 11, 2005
Environmental Tobacco Smoke- An NCSL Legisbrief on bans on public smoking, June/July 2004 (For NCSL registered users)
Curbing the Costs of Tobacco Use- An NCSL document describing the direct and indirect costs of tobacco use and how states can reduce the health and economic burden of tobacco use.
The Effectiveness of Quit Lines- An NCSL document describing methods for quitting smoking and what some states are doing to provide cessation services to their residents.

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 Cancer Society
Tobacco & Cancer
Smoke Free Communities

American Lung Association
State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues database (SLATI)

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
History of State Spending for Tobacco Control FY 2004-2008

Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes
Legislative Updates

Philip Morris USA/Altria
Legislative Issues

RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company
Master Settlement Agreement (MSA)
Retail Tobacco Laws by State

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

*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  Product Image(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


 

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