Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S., making it critically important that prevention and cessation programs are available to help people break their tobacco addiction for good. The American Lung Association supports funding for federal, state and local programs that help tobacco users quit and prevent kids and adults from starting to use tobacco. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have tobacco prevention and quit smoking programs, but funding for them varies significantly. They often are funded by tobacco settlement dollars and/or tobacco taxes.

We also support policies that give smokers easy access to all treatments proven effective to help them quit. Medicaid expansion and most private health insurance plans are required to cover a comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit for plan members, including all seven medications and three types of counseling recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. To help smokers quit, the Lung Association encourages all health plans to cover a comprehensive, barrier-free cessation benefit.

The Lung Association is a leader in the area of tobacco cessation policy at the federal, state and local levels. Since 2007, our Tobacco Cessation Policy Project has provided up-to-date information and tools for advocates, policymakers, media and smokers.

• Federal Cessation Coverage
  Learn about our work at the federal level to give all tobacco users access to effective tobacco cessation treatments.
• State Tobacco Cessation Coverage
  Find out about our work to ensure that state programs and insurance plans provide access to tobacco cessation treatments.
• Tobacco Prevention Program Funding
  Learn about funding for state programs that prevent tobacco use and help smokers quit.
• Laws to Increase the Tobacco Sales Age to 21
  Find more information about state laws to increase the minimum sales age for tobacco products to 21 and how they can help reduce youth tobacco use.
• Providing Technical Assistance for Effective Tobacco Cessation Policies
  Find resources for tobacco control, public health and healthcare professionals on insurance coverage policies and health systems change to promote tobacco cessation.
• Freedom From Smoking®
  Learn about our gold-standard smoking cessation program.