What We Do

Despite enormous progress, tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. It kills more than 480,000 Americans and costs the nation $170 billion in health care expenses each year. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works at the national, state and local levels to put in place proven solutions that reduce tobacco use and save lives.

Without strong action now, tobacco will kill one billion people worldwide this century. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works in low and middle-income countries — where over 80 percent of the world’s smokers live — to support the adoption and implementation of proven measures to reduce tobacco use. We are a partner in the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use and also receive support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Tobacco’s terrible toll is no accident. It is caused directly by the tobacco industry’s harmful and even illegal practices. We expose and counter the industry’s efforts to target kids and other vulnerable populations, deceive the public and fight life-saving policies across the globe.

Most smokers begin this deadly addiction as kids, so youth are critical and powerful voices in the fight against tobacco. Our Youth Initiatives train and mobilize young leaders to create the first tobacco-free generation.

Our Global Health Advocacy Incubator advances public health policies to build a healthier and safer world. Drawing on decades of international experience working in diverse political systems, with global civil society organizations and across a variety of public health issues, we provide strategic support to advocates campaigning to enact and implement laws that address public health challenges and save lives.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a leading force in the fight to reduce tobacco use and its deadly toll in the United States and around the world. Our Annual Reports summarize our progress and tell our supporters how their contributions are helping us succeed.