Vermont Highlights

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

The 2023 legislative session of the Vermont General Assembly was active on tobacco prevention policy. Senate bill 18, a bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, passed the Senate. The Lung Association provided testimony in support of the legislation. Further action was stalled in the House, but the bill can be taken up again next year.

The Lung Association will continue to build on the initial groundwork and work to advance measures to address the use of flavored tobacco products. Enticed by kid-friendly flavors that also mask the harshness that comes with inhalation, Vermont's youth are being set up for a lifetime of nicotine addiction. The state must act now to end all sales of flavored tobacco products.

Additionally, Vermont added additional, one-time funding for the tobacco control program for fiscal year 2024. Currently, Vermont remains several million dollars short of the funding recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The 2021 Tobacco BRFSS Data Brief has been published and serves as the annual update on adult tobacco use trends across Vermont, presenting cigarette, e-cigarette and quit attempt data by several key demographics in the state.• In Vermont, cigarette smoking rates remain stable, with one in six Vermonters currently smoking while attempts to quit smoking cigarettes have decreased to 47%, the lowest level in the past decade.• Adult e-cigarette use continues to rise to 5%, with 16% of young adults ages 18-24 using e-cigarettes, over three times the statewide rate.• Adults who use other substances, are uninsured, or have poor mental health use cigarettes and e-cigarettes at two to three times the statewide rate.• Adults ages 25-34 use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes at the highest rates while e-cigarettes are most used among young adults ages 18-24.

The American Lung Association in Vermont will continue to work with the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont and many more organizations as we grow our numbers to educate policy makers, business leaders and the media of the importance of advancing strong tobacco control and prevention efforts and to build upon our past successes in the Green Mountain State.