Board staff flag tobacco bills and other proposals as 2026 session tightens public health budget State Board of Health staff told the Health Promotion Committee that the 2026 Legislature is moving rapidly amid fiscal constraints and that tobacco-related bills are being tracked as potential fixes for a shortfall in the Foundational Public Health Services account; staff identified HB 2685 and HB 2242 as bills to monitor.

The 2026 legislative session in Washington is racing ahead, with crucial tobacco-related bills on the table that could reshape public health funding and service delivery.

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#WA #LegislativeMonitoring #CitizenPortal #TobaccoPolicy #PublicHealthFunding

Subcommittee hears arguments for and against lower tax on heated tobacco products Witnesses from public health groups and industry testified on bills to create a lower excise rate for FDA-authorized heated tobacco products. Supporters said lower taxes encourage smokers to switch; public-health experts warned about youth uptake and recommended tax parity.

Lawmakers are divided over whether to tax heated tobacco products less to help smokers transition away from cigarettes, sparking a heated debate on public health and youth access.

Get the details!

#SC #SouthCarolinaTobacco #YouthProtection #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #TobaccoPolicy

Did you know? Tobacco smoke can leave residue on indoor surfaces that can last for a few weeks to several years.
Learn more here: zurl.co/XJBPa
#secondhandsmoke #thirdhandsmoke #tobaccopolicy

According to a recent study, a California law prohibiting the sale of most flavored tobacco had little effect on teen e-cigarette habits.
Learn more here: zurl.co/d0inh
#ecigarettes #tobaccopolicy

Public health advocate and industry clash over proposed excise increases for nicotine pouches A public-health witness warned that doubling excise taxes on nicotine pouches would undercut adult smokers' attempts to switch to lower-risk products, while retailers and grocers said higher fees risk pushing business to illicit online sellers and disproportionately hurt small stores.

A fierce debate in Vermont's Senate over steep tax hikes on nicotine pouches could determine the fate of adult smoking-cessation efforts and small businesses alike.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #TobaccoPolicy #SmallBusinessSupport #VermontPublicHealth #PublicHealthReform

Fairfax Town Council recently adopted an ordinance to strengthen smoking and tobacco regulations.
Learn more here: zurl.co/5CVMu
#tobaccopolicy #tobaccoprevention

A recent study shows that while menthol cigarette sales have been cut by 90%, cigarettes labeled as "non-menthol" sales have increased by 708%.
Learn more here: zurl.co/N767f
#tobaccopolicy #publichealthresearch #tobacofree

The future. Like it or loathe it? Goldman Sachs forecasts the future of the U.S. tobacco and nicotine market: some will hate it. I don't.

Clive Bates's blog on accelerating decline in smoking and restructuring of nicotine market: The public’s health will prevail, even if Public Health tries to stop it. #tobaccopolicy

bit.ly/4qgyDkw

According to the American Lung Association that has released its annual "State of Tobacco Control" report, tobacco remains the nation's leading cause of preventable death and disease.
Learn more here: zurl.co/yEVyl
#tobaccofree #quittobacco #tobaccopolicy

Small‑store pharmacy carve‑out proposed for tobacco sales; grocers and pharmacists warn of rural closures, health advocates object Sen. Chip Curry’s LD 2134 would allow a narrow exception for small groceries (under 26,000 sq ft) with independently leased pharmacies to continue tobacco sales if established before July 7, 2025. Grocery and independent pharmacy groups said the change preserves rural pharmacy access; public‑health groups urged targeted investments instead of a statutory carve‑out.

A new bill in Maine could allow small grocery stores to continue selling tobacco products, but will it compromise public health for rural pharmacy survival?

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#ME #MainePharmacies #PublicHealth #RuralAccess #CitizenPortal #TobaccoPolicy

In Orange County, a proposed ordinance to ban smoking, including vaping, in public parks will go before Garden Grove’s City Council.
Learn more here: zurl.co/5fbRN
#tobaccopolicy #tobaccofree

Have you heard? California has released its first ever unflavored tobacco list, banning the sale of noncompliant flavored products in an attempt to reduce youth smoking.
Learn more here: zurl.co/gTBDQ
#tobaccopolicy #quittobacco

Have you heard? Delegates gathered for WHO’s global tobacco control conference to discuss combating tobacco use, which kills more than 7 million people annually. #tobaccocontrol #tobaccopolicy
Learn more here: zurl.co/wWlVv

Gilroy, CA has temporarily prohibited the issuance of new tobacco retailer permits for 45 days due to growing concerns of the increase in new smoke shops. What are your thoughts? #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/C49vm

National City, CA recently approved a new ordinance that establishes a tobacco retail license program to reduce youth access to tobacco and vaping products. What are your thoughts? #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/PGCkc

🚭A new avenue for tobacco control: price cap regulation🚭
If you missed Dr Rob Branston's webinar this morning, you can 📽️ watch the recording here🎬: youtu.be/68J-TlxpvVQ
#TobaccoEndgame #PriceCap #TobaccoPolicy

The American Association for Cancer Research expresses support for the FDA's proposal to limit the amount of nicotine in certain combusted tobacco products. What do you think? #tobaccocontrol #tobaccopolicy
Learn more here: zurl.co/SrwSd

San Jose is planning to ban the sales of nitrous oxide and to enact a 45-day moratorium on new tobacco retail licenses to give the city time to strengthen its regulations. Do you think this is enough? #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/ct2Mu

Have you heard? According to the New York State Department of Health, youth tobacco use is continuing to decline all across the state. #quittobacco #tobaccopolicy
Learn more here: zurl.co/w1Kit

Have you heard? Eureka City council recently approved a Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance. #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/eN8LG

Have you heard? Tiburon, CA could be the third city or town in the country to ban all sales of tobacco products. #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/Xm5ba

Sophie Jooren studied what drives compliance with smoke-free outdoor policies. Key to success? Clear communication, quitting support, & public buy-in. Read how this informs policy! 👉Link in bio

#PublicHealth #TobaccoPolicy #SmokeFree @maastrichtu.bsky.social

The October 2025 issue of The Lancet Regional Health - Americas is now available online: lnkd.in/gn2YTxQW
In this issue, we covered #Malaria; #ColorectalCancer; #ChagasDisease; #CognitiveHealth; #TobaccoPolicy; #SickleCell; #ObesityDiagnosis; #HealthCareResilience; and much more.

🚭 Squeezing tobacco retail availability in Tasmania 🚭
If you missed Veronica Martin-Gall's webinar yesterday, you can 📽️ watch the recording here 🎬: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKX...
#TobaccoEndgame #RetailRestriction #licensing #TobaccoPolicy

The Cleveland Department of Public Health just received $50,000 in grants to continue its efforts in preventing tobacco addiction in youth. #tobaccopolicy #tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/TJktI

This just in! The smoking rate in adults in New York State has reached a historic low of 9.3%!
#Quittobacco #Tobaccopolicy #Tobaccocontrol
Learn more here: zurl.co/fVlGS

Breaking News! Santa Cruz County is now the first county to ban filtered cigarettes starting in 2027. They aim to protect the health of their residents and the environment. Learn more here: zurl.co/Clx91
#Tobaccopolicy #environment #Quittobacco

Great News! To encourage retailers to stop selling illegal vapes to youth, the FDA is sending educational materials to 300,000 retailers nationwide, beginning this Fall! Learn more here: zurl.co/hVVVn
#Communityhealth #Tobaccopolicy

School District Evaluates Tobacco and Vaping Products Policy for Student Support Programs District discussions focus on tobacco and vaping policies and potential student support resources.

The Pennridge School District is taking bold steps to reshape its policies on tobacco and vaping, aiming to safeguard student health and enhance support resources.

Learn more here!

#PA #CitizenPortal #PennsylvaniaSchools #TobaccoPolicy #CessationSupport #StudentHealth

Government of Canada announces two initiatives to combat tobacco-related harms Government of Canada announces the new Tobacco Charges Regulations

📰Canada introduces 2 new policies to reduce tobacco use to <5% by 2035:
1️⃣New tobacco charges regulations will require tobacco companies - not taxpayers - to fund tobacco cessation efforts.
2️⃣$12M investment to support 8 substance use & addiction programs.
#TobaccoPolicy #HealthCanada