New Report Reveals Ohio Must Focus on Increasing the Cigarette Tax by $1.50 Per Pack to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Ohio lawmakers to focus on increasing the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.

In the 2025 report, Ohio received the following grades:

• Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
• Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade I
• Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
• Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade C
• Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

“In addition to grading Ohio’s tobacco control policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report examines the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. Here in Ohio, we are seeing tobacco industry lobbyists working to stop or weaken proven tobacco control policies. The tobacco industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers,” said Kezia Ofosu Atta, Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association. “In 2025, policymakers in Ohio must focus on increasing the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack and establish tax parity across all tobacco products.”

Increasing taxes on all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth. Ohio should increase its tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack and make the tax on other tobacco products equal to the cigarette tax.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb in Cleveland is coming up on March 2. Learn more at ClimbCleveland.org.

State grades in “State of Tobacco Control” reflect actions taken by elected officials and do not reflect on the hard work of state tobacco control programs or advocates.