Connecticut Highlights

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Connecticut. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Connecticut’s elected officials:

The most frustrating outcome of the 2024 legislative session was the suspension of the transfer to the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The first round of funding from FY2023 went through the decision process of the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund Board, approval process through the appropriate legislative bodies and now will be disbursed this year through Request for Proposals with the Department of Public Health. The decision to suspend the investment to fight the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the state when the program is finally getting off the ground for the first time since 2017 is especially discouraging. In addition to the funding from the FY2023 investment in the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund finally getting out the door, the JUUL Settlement Funds are also being spent in our communities. Again, while we are making some progress, it is especially frustrating to see that progress stymied from the start.

In addition to the suspension of funds for FY2025, SB199 which requires owners of tobacco retailers to take a retail training passed into law. Holding retailers accountable for sales is an important step in preventing youth access to these addictive products.



This year’s State of Tobacco Control Report shows increased tobacco industry activity in states throughout the country. A few years back Philip Morris International was courted to move its headquarters to the state. Since then, we have been outraged by the way Big Tobacco is painting themselves as good stewards of the community. In March 2024, Phillip Morris International’s philanthropic activity during Women’s History Month, which the Governor as well as other state and federal lawmakers attended, was both ironic and inappropriate considering the harmful impacts their products have on women in our state and across the nation.



In June 2023, the reconstituted Tobacco and Health Trust Fund Board met for the first time. Since then, the board has worked diligently to ensure the board will be investing in best practices programs for our communities. Advocates are looking forward to the expenditure of funds towards these best practice programs and a robust and sustainable investment in combatting the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the state. The Lung Association and our community partners will continue to advance proven policy issues with heightened efforts to enhance our partnerships and amplify the voices of people disproportionately burdened by tobacco use. The Lung Association looks forward to advancing Connecticut’s tobacco control policy and working towards a healthier Connecticut in 2025.