How we talk about tobacco matters. As tobacco control advocates, the information we share can help determine whether policymakers add tobacco control to their priority list or focus on other issues entirely.

To be effective, we must be more than subject matter experts. We must be strategic communicators who tailor our messages based on our audience's values. For example, a meeting with a school board member is an opportunity to highlight nicotine's impact on learning. By focusing on topics that matter to our audience, we can cultivate allies.

Here are 7 facts to consider when advocating for tobacco control policies and programs:

1. Tobacco use is the #1 cause of preventable death and disease.

Smoking and vaping both increase the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, oral disease, asthma, and lung disease. In communities with less tobacco use, residents live longer, happier, and healthier lives.^1-2

2. Nicotine is a gateway drug.

Research shows teens who use tobacco are more likely to use other drugs in the future. Exposure to nicotine during adolescence can cause long-term changes to the brain’s reward system and to areas that support decision making. These changes pave the way for addiction to other drugs. Research also suggests nicotine can fuel addiction by amplifying the effects of other drugs—leading people to consume them more frequently and in greater amounts. Simply put, tobacco prevention is substance use prevention.^3-4

3. Nicotine harms mental health.

Though nicotine may reduce stress temporarily, it can increase symptoms of anxiety and depression over time. Nicotine harms parts of the brain that support mental health and increases the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder later in life. By reducing tobacco use, we can improve mental health outcomes now and in the future.^5-11

4. Nicotine impacts learning.

Nicotine harms parts of the brain responsible for learning. Tobacco use is associated with lower academic achievement in middle school, high school, and young adulthood. Efforts to reduce youth tobacco use help give kids a fair chance to succeed.^12-14

5. Predatory tobacco marketing targets kids.

Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars marketing toxic products with sweet flavors that appeal to children. In retail settings, tobacco advertisements and products are often placed near candy, near sugary drinks, and at children’s eye-level. Limiting where tobacco products can be advertised and sold helps protect kids and prevent addiction.^15-20

6. Tobacco products create toxic pollution.

Cigarettes are the most common form of litter collected in the United States. They contain plastic fibers that are not biodegradable and harmful chemicals that end up in waterways. E-cigarette cartridges and batteries are considered hazardous waste. In addition, smoke and vapor from tobacco products contain lead, arsenic, and formaldehyde. Reducing tobacco use helps protect our air, land, and water.^21-27

7. The tobacco epidemic weakens the economy.

A healthy economy requires healthy people. U.S. healthcare expenditures caused by tobacco use are estimated to exceed $240 billion annually—including more than $150 billion from Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-funded healthcare programs. Productivity losses caused by tobacco-related illness are estimated to exceed $180 billion each year. Policies and programs that reduce tobacco use are a wise investment.²⁸

CivCom offers technical assistance to tobacco control advocacy groups—including training, consultation, and customized policy change toolkits. Contact us to learn more.

Sources: 1. CDC, 2020; 2. Glantz et al., 2024; 3. Ren & Lotfipour, 2019; 4. Lai et al., 2000; 5. Masaki et al., 2022; 6. Diaz et al., 2023; 7. Mishra et al., 2015; 8. Lee et al., 2017; 9. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020; 10. Moylan et al., 2013; 11. Goriounova et al., 2012; 12. Latvala et al., 2014; 13. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2022; 14. Goriounova et al., 2012; 15. Garcia et al., 2016; 16. Do et al., 2023; 17. CDC, 2012; 18. CDC, 2023; 19. Center for Public Health Systems Science, 2014; 20. Brown et al., 2023; 21. Novotny et al., 2009; 22. Novotny et al., 2015; 23. Gummin et al., 2021; 24. Wang et al., 2019; 25. Keep America Beautiful, 2021; 26. Slaughter et al., 2011; 27. Public Health Law Center, 2023; 28. Tobacco Free Kids, 2024.