National Tobacco Control Programs in Action
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CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) is the only nationwide investment that supports all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 8 U.S. territories, and 12 tribal organizations to protect kids and help smokers quit. This page highlights some ways states are preventing and reducing tobacco use, while leveraging OSH’s expertise, resources, or technical assistance to maximize their impact.
Alabama
Alabama protected more than 8,600 low-income Alabamans from secondhand smoke exposure in their homes
Each year, about 41,000 Americans die from secondhand smoke exposure. The home is the primary source of secondhand smoke exposure for children. Secondhand smoke exposure causes ear infections, respiratory infections, more frequent and severe asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome among children. Alabama's tobacco prevention and control staff, who are supported with CDC funding, are doing their part to protect Alabama residents in public housing from the risks of secondhand smoke exposure in their homes.
Kentucky
Kentucky increased access to cessation medications and counseling to help Kentuckians quit using tobacco products
Each year, tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure kills more than 8,800 Kentuckians and costs more than $1.2 billion in Medicaid and Medicare treatment costs. Kentucky’s tobacco control program, which is supported with CDC funding, built strategic partnerships to help ensure that all Kentuckians have access to counseling and FDA-approved medications to help them quit using tobacco products.
Nebraska
Nebraska’s toolkits and training helped 25 housing authorities implement policies to protect residents from secondhand smoke exposure in their homes
In Nebraska, 2,500 adults die from smoking-related illnesses each year, and nearly 18,000 children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. People living in multiunit housing are particularly susceptible to unwanted secondhand smoke exposure, which can transfer between apartments. Nebraska’s tobacco prevention and control staff are supported with CDC funding. They prepared toolkits and trained housing managers, and used CDC’s scientific data, educational resources, and media tools to reach public housing managers and residents.
New York
Six New York communities acted to bring down tobacco use by reducing the number and types of stores selling tobacco and by raising tobacco prices
Despite significant reductions in tobacco use over the last 15 years, 28,200 New York state residents die from tobacco-related illnesses each year. New York’s tobacco control program understands the importance of using data to motivate community partners and guide decision-making. The program—supported with CDC funding—shared national, state, and local data with communities and educated them about strategies known to reduce tobacco use.
West Virginia
Small rural pharmacy pilot program created by West Virginia tobacco control staff and partners helped 36 people quit smoking
Cigarette smoking causes about 480,000 deaths every year. West Virginia has the highest percentage of adult cigarette smokers in the United States. In 2016, the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention, with funding and technical support from CDC, created a pilot program for pharmacists in rural counties to counsel people. This partnership helped people quit smoking.
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- Page last reviewed: October 4, 2018
- Page last updated: October 5, 2018
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