A new report from the American Lung Association urges Kansas lawmakers to prioritize policies that make state-owned casinos smoke-free in order to reduce the significant human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal efforts to reduce tobacco use and advocates for effective policies to prevent nicotine addiction and protect children.
In the 2025 report, Kansas received the following grades:
- Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
- Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade B
- Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
- Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade D
- Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
Sara Prem, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Kansas, highlighted the tobacco industry’s aggressive tactics, including blocking tobacco control policies and targeting youth with products like e-cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches.
Prem called on Kansas policymakers to prioritize making state-owned casinos smoke-free, oppose local tobacco control preemption, and increase funding for tobacco control programs based on CDC best practices. The U.S. Surgeon General has emphasized that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke, and removing the casino exemption would protect workers from its harmful effects.
