In Coalition, ASAM Urges Congress to Fund Tobacco Prevention Programs

ASAM and over 80 other healthcare and medical organizations are calling on House leaders to adequately fund the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to provide the Senate-approved funding level of $246.5 million for its Office of Smoking and Health (OSH). This is in contrast to the House's proposed bill, which would cut funding and fail to restore OSH's critical function. 

The groups warn that the elimination of these funds, as proposed by the House, would leave states without needed federal support for quitlines and without adequate funding to implement evidence-based programs to prevent tobacco use among youth. The highly effective national public awareness campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, which prevented 129,100 smoking-related deaths, would also be at risk.

This all comes as tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.

The joint letter was sent to the leadership of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, who are currently developing a final appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026. 

Read the full letter here.