Lung Association Lauds Illinois Legislature for Bolstering its Commitment to Addressing Tobacco Use Prevention and Nicotine Addiction

In the final days of spring legislative session, the Illinois General Assembly voted to increase both funding for the state tobacco control program and the cost of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. HB2755 equalizes e-cigarette and other tobacco product (OTP) taxes with cigarettes by raising the tax on the wholesale price of e-cigarettes and OTPs and the FY26 state budget includes $5 million in new funding for tobacco prevention and education programs statewide. The following is a statement from Kristina Hamilton, Illinois Advocacy Director for the American Lung Association on passage of this measure:

“The American Lung Association applauds the Illinois General Assembly for voting to expand vital state funding to help curb and prevent tobacco use across the state in addition to increasing taxes on tobacco products. These are win-win policies for public health that will help kids avoid using tobacco products, urge Illinoisans addicted to tobacco products to quit and help public health leaders bolster its focus on interventions in communities that have experienced higher rates of tobacco-related health disparities.

“We appreciate the legislature’s leadership in making this strong public health move. In the wake of the recent elimination of Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s longstanding Office on Smoking and Health, we applaud the state’s effort to stand up to Big Tobacco and put Illinois’ children and communities before tobacco industry profits. We look forward to continuing our work with state lawmakers and urge the Governor to support these measures to help protect the public health of all Illinoisans.”

Illinois last raised the tax rate on OTPs in 2012 and established a tax on e-cigarettes in 2019. The FY26 state budget and new tax rates will take effect July 1, 2025.