American Lung Association: West Virginia receives poor grades across the board for tobacco use prevention

West Virginia saw low grades across each of the categories:

• Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs — Grade F

• Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws — Grade D

• Level of State Tobacco Taxes — Grade F

• Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco — Grade F

• Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products — Grade F

“Here in West Virginia, we continue to have the highest adult smoking rate in the nation, with 32.9% of adults (281,200) smoking, and a high school tobacco use rate of 27%,” said Elizabeth Hensil, director of advocacy at the American Lung Association in West Virginia. "We are also the second-highest state for new lung cancer cases."

“Despite these alarming statistics, tobacco industry lobbyists are actively working at the local level to weaken tobacco control policies," she added. "At the same time, the industry is introducing youth-targeted products, including e-cigarettes that resemble smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches, all heavily promoted by social media influencers.”

Despite receiving $194.9 million from tobacco settlement payments, tobacco taxes and other state funding, West Virginia only funds tobacco control efforts at 6.1% of the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the association.

The reports urges West Virginia lawmakers to prioritize increasing funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, among other efforts.

“In 2025, policymakers in West Virginia must focus on increasing funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended level, preserving local control of smokefree laws throughout the state, and enacting a significant tobacco tax increase of $1.50 per pack and equalize taxes for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, with the cigarette tax,” Hensil said.