Tobacco addiction is finally—and significantly—on the decline. Since 1995, tobacco use has fallen 12.6 percent among adults and more than 18 percent among youth. Nevertheless, an estimated 46.5 million adults and an estimated 4.5 million adolescents in the United States continue to smoke. The Foundation supports policy changes that reduce tobacco use through prevention and treatment, both saving and improving lives. These policies include comprehensive smoke-free air laws, tobacco tax increases, and expanded coverage of tobacco dependence treatment by government and private payers.

Foundation-supported research, such as Bridging the Gap, a multi-center research partnership, and the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, is helping guide the tobacco control movement. Evidence shows that when cigarettes cost more, tobacco use decreases, especially among teens. This finding has prompted 31 states and the District of Columbia to increase taxes on tobacco products in the past two years.

In 2003, tobacco tax increases passed in Nevada, New Mexico and Georgia. Six states, including New York, Connecticut and Delaware, adopted clean indoor air laws. In these states and on the national level, the Foundation’s SmokeLess States^® network and grantees, including Americans for Non-Smokers Rights and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids^®, engaged in public education, advocacy and media campaigns.

And backed by strong evidence that smoke-free work, dining and entertainment environments promote better health and good business, Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KISS) has made inroads with state and national restaurant associations in efforts to promote the health and business benefits of going smoke-free.

Working with partners and grantees, the Foundation seeks to increase support from the public, nonprofit and private sectors to leverage the more than $100 million that RWJF will invest in tobacco control in the next five years. The Foundation will focus on targeted policy research, advocacy and strategic communications to promote policy initiatives and further reduce tobacco use.