New Report Reveals Kentucky Must Focus on Requiring Licenses to Sell Nicotine Products to Help Enforce the Law Against Sales to Kids

 A new report from the American Lung Association urges Kentucky lawmakers to focus on requiring retail licenses to sell nicotine products to help enforce the law against underage sales and protect Kentucky’s kids. 

 

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate use and recommends proven-effective control laws and policies to save lives. 

 

The “State of Tobacco In the 2025 report, Kentucky received the following grades: 

“In addition to grading Kentucky’s policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report examines the industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to nicotine and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce use. Here in Kentucky, we are seeing industry lobbyists at the state and local levels working to stop or weaken proven nicotine control policies. The industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers,” said Shannon Baker, Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association in Kentucky. 

 

“In 2025, policymakers in Kentucky must focus on requiring retail licenses to sell nicotine products and increasing funding for youth quit smoking programs. 

 

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Kentucky. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls on Kentucky's elected officials to require all establishments selling nicotine products to obtain licenses, provide for and fund specific enforcement measures and establish a meaningful penalty structure for underage sales violations.

 

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb in Louisville is coming up on March 23. Learn more at ClimbLouisville.org. 

State grades in “State of Tobacco Control” reflect actions taken by elected officials and do not reflect on the hard work of state tobacco control programs or advocates.

Media Resources:

###

About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org. To support the work of the American Lung Association, find a local event at Lung.org/events. 

This year, the American Lung Association is celebrating 120 years! Join us in our journey to champion lung health and help us celebrate 120 Years of Impact. Donate today at Lung.org/donate.