North Carolina
How does your state compare?
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | Smokefree Air | Tobacco Taxes | Access to Cessation Services | Flavored Tobacco Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | F | F | D | F |
| Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding | F |
|---|---|
| Smokefree Air | F |
| Tobacco Taxes | F |
| Access to Cessation Services | D |
| Flavored Tobacco Products | F |
The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by North Carolina's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:
- Implement a comprehensive tobacco retail licensing system, including e-cigarette retailers;
- Increase the cigarette tax to the current average cigarette tax and equalize taxes for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; and
- Rollback preemption of stronger local laws in North Carolina regarding tobacco use and prevention.
North Carolina Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.
North Carolina Information
Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| FY2024 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $13,349,600 |
| FY2024 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $2,353,231* |
| FY2024 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $15,702,831 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $99,300,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 15.8% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $465,300,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| FY2024 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: | $13,349,600 |
| FY2024 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $2,353,231* |
| FY2024 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: | $15,702,831 |
| CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: | $99,300,000 |
| Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: | 15.8% |
| State Tobacco-Related Revenue: | $465,300,000 |
*Includes tobacco prevention and cessation funding provided to states from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Restricted (prohibited in state government buildings) |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Prohibited (public schools only) |
| Childcare Facilities: | Restricted |
| Restaurants: | Prohibited |
| Bars: | Prohibited (allowed in cigar bars) |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A (tribal casinos only) |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | No |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | Yes |
Citation: N.C. GEN. STAT. §§ 130A-491 to 130A-498 (2010), 115C-407 (2007), 131D-4.4 (2007) & 131E-114.3 (2007).
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionSmokefree Air
Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Government Workplaces: | Restricted (prohibited in state government buildings) |
| Private Workplaces: | No provision |
| Schools: | Prohibited (public schools only) |
| Childcare Facilities: | Restricted |
| Restaurants: | Prohibited |
| Bars: | Prohibited (allowed in cigar bars) |
| Casinos/Gaming Establishments: | N/A (tribal casinos only) |
| Retail Stores: | No provision |
| E-Cigarettes Included: | No |
| Preemption/Local Opt-Out: | Yes |
Citation: N.C. GEN. STAT. §§ 130A-491 to 130A-498 (2010), 115C-407 (2007), 131D-4.4 (2007) & 131E-114.3 (2007).
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $0.45 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionTobacco Taxes
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Cigarette Tax per pack of 20: | $0.45 |
| Tax on little cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on large cigars: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on smokeless tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on pipe/RYO tobacco: | Equalized: Yes; Weight-Based: No |
| Tax on E-Cigarettes: | Equalized: No; Weight-Based: Yes |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take Action
Thumbs up for North Carolina for expanding Medicaid, providing coverage, including tobacco cessation treatment, for up to 600,000 people.
Access to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some counseling is covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | Yes |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some counseling is covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $1.56; the median investment per smoker is $1.93 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Limits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See North Carolina Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionAccess to Cessation Services
Overview of State Cessation Coverage:
| Overall Grade | D |
|---|---|
| State Medicaid Program: | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some counseling is covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| Medicaid Expansion: | Yes |
| State Employee Health Plan(s): | |
| Medications: | All 7 medications are covered |
| Counseling: | Some counseling is covered |
| Barriers to Coverage: | Some barriers exist to access care |
| State Quitline: | |
| Investment Per Smoker: | $1.56; the median investment per smoker is $1.93 |
| Other Cessation Provisions: | |
| Private Insurance Mandate: | No provision |
| Tobacco Surcharge: | Limits tobacco surcharges |
Citation: See North Carolina Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take ActionFlavored Tobacco Products
| Overall Grade | F |
|---|---|
| Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: | No state law or regulation |
Help Fight Tobacco Use
Join our efforts to create a tobacco-free future. Stand with the American Lung Association to prevent and reduce tobacco use in your state.
Take Action