House Appropriations Bill Sides with Tobacco Industry Over Kids by Eliminating Funding for CDC’s Tobacco Control Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House FY 2026 Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill would harm the nation’s health by slashing funding for the CDC and eliminating the agency’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which are proven to save lives and health care dollars. If these cuts are adopted, the tobacco industry will win and kids and public health will lose, resulting in more tobacco-related disease, deaths and associated health care costs. We urge Congress to reject these irresponsible cuts and follow the lead of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which recently voted on a strong, bipartisan basis to fund the CDC’s lifesaving work, including the agency’s Office on Smoking and Health.

The fight against tobacco use must remain a national priority. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., killing nearly 500,000 Americans every year and costing over $241 billion in annual health care expenses, more than 60% of which is paid by taxpayers through government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, cigarette smoking is a primary driver of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, COPD and diabetes. Any serious strategy focused on reducing chronic disease must address the use of tobacco products.

The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health plays a vital role in preventing youth tobacco use and helping tobacco users quit. It is the only dedicated source of federal funding for state tobacco control programs. It also provides critical support for quitlines and conducts the Tips from Former Smokers media campaign, which has helped more than 1 million people quit and saved an estimated $7.3 billion in health care costs. The CDC also conducts the National Youth Tobacco Survey and other surveys that track trends in tobacco use.

We urge Congress to fund these lifesaving programs.