Information and Resources

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Tobacco use among youth is of particular concern, as 90% of current adult smokers started smoking regularly at age 18 or younger.

Nicotine

Nicotine, in the form of cigarettes, chew, cigars, and e-cigarettes, is one of the most used addictive drugs in the United States. Tobacco use (either by smoking or chewing) increases your risk for many types of cancer, infertility, ulcers, lung disease, strokes, osteoporosis, and more.

U.S. Surgeon General Warnings

In January 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General released the first report of the Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health. The release of the report was the first in a series of steps, still being taken more than 50 years later, to diminish the impact of tobacco use on the health of the American people. Another significant report was released in 2006 on The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Secondhand Smoke. This report declared there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke which led to the passage of hundreds of smoke-free policies.

In early 2020, the Surgeon General released a new report Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General. This report reinforced that quitting smoking is beneficial at any age and that certain sub-groups and population smoke at higher rates. It also stated that there is inadequate evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes, in general, help people to quit smoking.

Tobacco and The Environment

Cigarette litter is the most littered item in the world.

Flavored Tobacco Products

Flavored cigarettes were prohibited in 2009 under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, however menthol cigarettes, the most popular flavor, were exempt from this regulation due to the aggressive lobbying from the tobacco industry. Within California, flavored tobacco products such as flavored vapes/e-cigarettes and flavored cigarillos are illegal to sell under SB 793. However, these products are still often found in stores. The tobacco industry even created “California-compliant non-menthol menthol” cigarettes, which use synthetic coolants to mimic the cooling sensation of menthol, to bypass the flavor laws that make menthol cigarettes illegal to sell in California.

The tobacco industry has a long history of using manipulative marketing tactics to get people hooked on their products. Flavored tobacco improves the taste and smell and masks the harshness, making it easier to try and ultimately become addicted.

Vulnerable and minority populations — including women, populations of color, youth, LGBTQ, and low-socioeconomic status populations — disproportionately use flavored tobacco products.

Public health agencies strongly urge Federal, State and local government agencies to restrict access to all flavored tobacco products. To learn more visit the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council and Campaign for Tobacco- Free Kids.

E-Cigarettes and Youth

E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth and come in over 15,000 different youth enticing flavors. The tobacco industry uses flavors to spark curiosity and mask the harshness of tobacco. Sadly, it works. 97% of kids who vape use flavors. They profit by hooking kids on flavored nicotine. When the product seems harmless, teen use rises.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, nicotine alters adolescent brain development and is toxic in high doses. What is particularly alarming is that e-cigarettes can contain levels of nicotine comparable to or even higher than traditional cigarettes.

The start of the youth vaping epidemic began with The JUUL Wave. JUULs had been one of the top and most well-known e-cigarette products in California before lawsuits weakened them and products such as Puff Bars and Elf Bars gained a higher market share. These products, whether they are disposables such as the Puff Bar or rechargeable/refillable options such as Suorin products, are highly addictive and come in sleek designs made to attract young users.

Learn more about:

Electronic Smoking Devices

Secondhand Smoke

Resources for Parents/Caregivers About Vaping

Quit Smoking and Vaping Support

Useful Websites

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