Mississippi Highlights

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

Tobacco prevention and control issues were not a priority for the Mississippi Legislature in 2024. While comprehensive statewide smokefree bills that would have eliminated smoking in virtually all public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos were introduced, all of them died in committee. House Bill 1415 also known as the Mississippi Tobacco Harm Reduction Act also died in committee. HB1415 would have limited the sale of vapor products to age restricted businesses. Non age restricted businesses would not derive more than 70% of its business revenue from tobacco, vapor, or CBD products. The American Lung Association and partners continue to support proven tobacco control policies that provide public health benefits for our youth.

Legislation to expand the state’s Medicaid program to 138% of the federal poverty level, which would make Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation available to thousands of more tobacco users was discussed extensively during the 2024 legislative session. A bill to expand without burdensome work requirements did pass by a veto-proof majority in the House. However, the Senate was unwilling to agree to this proposal and the Governor was adamantly opposed to any expansion.

There was increased legislative activity to secure tobacco industry priorities such as four U.S. Food and Drug Administration premarket tobacco application e-cigarette registry-related bills and two bills to secure preferential tax treatment for heated tobacco products. While the filed registry bills did not achieve final passage, the heated tobacco bill, Senate Bill 3105 that sets a lower tax rate on heated tobacco products than on cigarettes was approved by the governor in May 2024. The American Lung Association and partners will continue to monitor the tax implications of heated tobacco products and push back against industry influence.

There continues to be significant support in local municipalities for public health protections from secondhand smoke. According to the Mississippi State University Social Science Research Center, Mississippi Tobacco Data, a total of 189 cities and 7 counties have adopted comprehensive smokefree ordinances that cover private workplaces, restaurants and bars. This accounts for approximately 37% of Mississippians being protected by smokefree policies.

In 2025, the American Lung Association will continue to advocate for the benefits of tobacco control policies, including the need to protect all workers by passing comprehensive protections from secondhand smoke. In order to meet the bold goals in Mississippi, state legislators will need to recognize the health and economic burden of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke on our state. The Lung Association will also continue to work with partners to ensure successful passage and preservation of comprehensive local smokefree ordinances.