Tobacco Prevention and Control

The Tobacco Prevention and Control (TPC) Branch works with local coalitions, community agencies, and state and national partners to implement and evaluate effective tobacco prevention and cessation activities that meet the following goals:

• Eliminating environmental tobacco use exposure.
• Promoting quitting among adults and youth.
• Preventing youth initiation.

Snapshot of Alabama: Adults and Smoking

In Alabama, more than 8,000 deaths are caused each year by smoking. It is estimated that smoking contributes $2.19 billion in annual health care costs in Alabama. See the Snapshot of Alabama: Adults and Smoking for more information on the impact of smoking and tobacco use in Alabama.

National Youth Tobacco Survey

• According to the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS), half a million fewer students used tobacco products in 2024. (2.8 million in 2023 to 2.3 million in 2024). The majority (87.6%) used flavored e-cigarettes.
• According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS), e-cigarettes were the most popular tobacco product for the 10th year in a row, with almost 9 out of 10 reported using flavored e-cigarettes.

Secondhand Smoke

This is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke kills over 750 nonsmoking Alabamians each year. Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased rish for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma, and reduced lung function. Learn what you can do to help.

Alabama Quitline

Studies show about 70 percent of all smokers want to quit. In Alabama, tobacco users can get free help by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), visiting quitnowalabama.com, or texting "Quit" to 205-900-2550.

FDA Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan

FDA's Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan is a series of actions to stop youth use of tobacco products, especially e-cigarettes, with special focus on three key areas:

• Preventing youth access to tobacco products
• Curbing marketing of tobacco products aimed at youth; and
• Educating teens about the dangers of using any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, as well as educating retailers about their key role in protecting youth

For more information, visit the FDA Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan.

The Burden of Tobacco in Alabama 2019

Key findings of the The Burden of Tobacco in Alabama 2019 report are noted below.

Adults

• According to the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), approximately 21.5 percent of Alabama adults are current cigarette smokers, a significant decrease since 2011 (24.3 percent) but still higher than the national rate (17.1 percent).
• Prevalence of smoking for young adults ages 18-24 decreased significantly.
• From 1996 to 2016 adult smoking prevalence fell on average only 0.2 percent per year.
• Alabama has the 8th highest adult smoking prevalence rate in the nation.
• According to the 2018 National Center for Health Statistics, 10.1 percent of mothers reported smoking during pregnancy.

The Health Impact of Tobacco in Alabama

• 8,823 deaths in Alabama were attributable to smoking-related causes. Cardiovascular disease caused greatest proportion of smoking-attributed deaths followed by cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
• 5,290 deaths due to cardiovascular disease
• 1,703 deaths due to cancer
• 1,433 deaths due to respiratory disease
• 397 deaths due to diabetes
• 950 deaths due to indirect tobacco-related causes (secondhand smoke, smoking-related fires, prenatal deaths)
• 144,864 years of potential life were lost due to smoking-attributable premature death.
• 16.4 years of life were lost, on average, among Alabama adults who died as a result of a smoking-attributable illness.
• It is estimated that smoking caused more deaths than motor vehicle accidents, suicides, homicides, and military in Iraq and Afghanistan during thirteen year war. 

The Economic Impact of Tobacco in Alabama

• $5.16 billion in excess personal medical care expenditures were attributable to smoking.
• $887.9 million in productivity losses were estimated as a result of smoking-attributable premature death.
• $1.33 billion in productivity losses were estimated as a result of smoking-attributable illnesses
• $187.5 million in economic costs were attributed to personal medical costs and productivity losses associated with secondhand smoke.
• $7.6 billion in economic costs was the estimated total annual economic impact of smoking in Alabama. 

State Plans

• Alabama State Plan for Tobacco Prevention and Control (2024-2029)
• Alabama Cancer Statistics, 2023
• ACCCC Cancer State Plan