How does your state compare?

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding Smokefree Air Tobacco Taxes Access to Cessation Services Flavored Tobacco Products
C B C A B
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding C
Smokefree Air B
Tobacco Taxes C
Access to Cessation Services A
Flavored Tobacco Products B

The American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by California's elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke:

  1. Enact smokefree laws, particularly limitations on secondhand smoke exposure; and
  2. Restrictions on tobacco product sales.

California Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts toward effective Tobacco Control.

California Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.

Highlights Laws & Policies Historical Data Local Grades Report
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

   
Overall Grade C
FY2025 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs:$221,513,333
FY2025 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$3,552,129*
FY2025 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$225,065,462
CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $347,900,000
Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 64.7%
State Tobacco-Related Revenue: $2,067,300,000

*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 Action

Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding

   
Overall Grade C
FY2025 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs:$221,513,333
FY2025 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$3,552,129*
FY2025 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs:$225,065,462
CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $347,900,000
Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 64.7%
State Tobacco-Related Revenue: $2,067,300,000

*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 Action
Smokefree Air
Thumbs Up

Thumbs down for California for passing legislation to allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in restaurants and at live events in communities that choose to do so.

Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:

Overall Grade B
Government Workplaces: Prohibited
Private Workplaces: Prohibited (live events that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt)
Schools: Prohibited (public schools only)
Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
Restaurants: Prohibited (restaurants that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt)
Bars: Prohibited
Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Prohibited (tribal establishments not subject to state law)
Retail Stores: Prohibited
E-Cigarettes Included: Yes (marijuana e-cigarettes at certain venues in some communities exempt)
Preemption/Local Opt-Out: No

Citation: CA LABOR CODE § 6404.5 (2024); CA GOVT. CODE §§ 7596 to 7598 (2016); CA EDUC. CODE §§ 48900(h) & 48901 (2016); & CA HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 1596.795 (2016).

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.

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Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions:

Overall Grade B
Government Workplaces: Prohibited
Private Workplaces: Prohibited (live events that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt)
Schools: Prohibited (public schools only)
Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
Restaurants: Prohibited (restaurants that allow the smoking and vaping of cannabis in some communities exempt)
Bars: Prohibited
Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Prohibited (tribal establishments not subject to state law)
Retail Stores: Prohibited
E-Cigarettes Included: Yes (marijuana e-cigarettes at certain venues in some communities exempt)
Preemption/Local Opt-Out: No

Citation: CA LABOR CODE § 6404.5 (2024); CA GOVT. CODE §§ 7596 to 7598 (2016); CA EDUC. CODE §§ 48900(h) & 48901 (2016); & CA HEALTH & SAFETY CODE § 1596.795 (2016).

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
Tobacco Taxes

Tobacco Taxes

Overall Grade C
Cigarette Tax per pack of 20:$2.87
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: Yes; Weight-Based: No

For more information on tobacco taxes, go to: www.lung.org/slati.

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

Tobacco Taxes

Overall Grade C
Cigarette Tax per pack of 20:$2.87
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: Yes; Weight-Based: No

For more information on tobacco taxes, go to: www.lung.org/slati.

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
Access to Cessation Services

Access to Cessation Services

Overview of State Cessation Coverage:

         
Overall Grade A
State Medicaid Program:
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling: All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Minimal barriers exist to access care
Medicaid Expansion:Yes
State Employee Health Plan(s):
Medications:Some medications are covered
Counseling:Some types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Some barriers exist to access care
State Quitline:
Investment Per Smoker:$3.93; the median investment per smoker is $2.26
Other Cessation Provisions:
Private Insurance Mandate:Yes
Tobacco Surcharge:Prohibits tobacco surcharges

Citation: See California 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 Action

Access to Cessation Services

Overview of State Cessation Coverage:

         
Overall Grade A
State Medicaid Program:
Medications:All 7 medications are covered
Counseling: All 3 types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Minimal barriers exist to access care
Medicaid Expansion:Yes
State Employee Health Plan(s):
Medications:Some medications are covered
Counseling:Some types of counseling are covered
Barriers to Coverage:Some barriers exist to access care
State Quitline:
Investment Per Smoker:$3.93; the median investment per smoker is $2.26
Other Cessation Provisions:
Private Insurance Mandate:Yes
Tobacco Surcharge:Prohibits tobacco surcharges

Citation: See California 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 Action
Flavored Tobacco Products
Thumbs Up

Thumbs up for California for passing legislation to improve enforcement of the flavored tobacco product law and cover menthol replacement products.

Flavored Tobacco Products

Overall Grade B
Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: Most flavored tobacco products prohibited

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

Flavored Tobacco Products

Overall Grade B
Restrictions on Flavored Tobacco Products: Most flavored tobacco products prohibited

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