- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has significantly reduced funding for crucial smoking cessation initiatives.
- HHS has discontinued the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, potentially restricting access to important smoking cessation and prevention resources.
- Experts believe these federal reductions could lead to an upsurge in smoking rates in the U.S., along with increased health complications and associated treatment expenses.
Though tobacco use has generally decreased across the United States, disparities in health remain, making affordable resources such as quitlines essential for assisting individuals in quitting smoking.
The U.S. government has historically allocated millions toward anti-smoking campaigns and cessation programs. However, the latest budget cuts by the new administration could undermine years of progress.
At the beginning of this month, under the guidance of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services made drastic cuts to pivotal public health organizations that were instrumental in reducing smoking and vaping rates nationally.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been particularly affected by these budget reductions. The Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), known for linking certain vaping products to severe lung injuries in 2019, was one of the sections eliminated by HHS.
The OSH also supported the National and State Tobacco Control Program, which distributes significant funding for tobacco control measures across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, eight U.S. territories, and numerous tribal organizations.
The elimination of the OSH could severely limit essential resources needed for smoking cessation, potentially leading to increased tobacco usage and higher costs for treating tobacco-related chronic diseases, according to experts.
Additionally, HHS has recently placed numerous staff members from the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products on leave, including its top executive. This center is tasked with regulating tobacco and nicotine product warnings and marketing.
An HHS spokesperson assured that Secretary Kennedy and the department are still dedicated to exploring the underlying causes of chronic diseases. The spokesperson stated that essential CDC programs would continue, although with more streamlined operations to promote efficiency within HHS.
Despite these assurances, the spokesperson confirmed that the CDC would persist in offering resources for those seeking to quit smoking and maintain ongoing monitoring of smoking trends.
Nevertheless, the cuts could affect the availability of free or low-cost quitline services.
According to a press release from the North American Quitline Consortium (NAQC), quitlines have aided over 175,000 individuals in quitting smoking over the last two years.
The 2024 NAQC Annual Survey of Quitlines revealed that these services across the U.S. received over 1.2 million calls and provided cessation resources to more than 500,000 tobacco users. Many others benefited from text messaging services available through their state quitlines.
State funding for quitlines varies, with the CDC supporting more than 75% of the funding for five state and two territorial quitlines, while another 18 states receive 25% funding from the CDC, as per NAQC’s survey data.
“Every state quitline receives at least some level of CDC funding for their programs,” stated Thomas Ylioja, PhD, MSW, president and CEO of the North American Quitline Consortium, in a discussion with Healthline.
“Without ongoing support, these quitlines may have to significantly reduce counseling and medication services, or might even cease operations,” he added.
Healthline consulted with Ylioja to further understand how reductions in federally funded cessation programs like quitlines might impact public health. Ylioja shared new and significant statistics on smoking cessation from an upcoming NAQC survey, though these findings have yet to be published.
What is the success rate of quitlines?
Ylioja: Quitlines form the cornerstone of smoking cessation efforts in the nation.
They offer the most readily available treatments proven to aid individuals in stopping smoking, providing free counseling and quit medications like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges.
And they are effective: NAQC survey data indicate that approximately 35% of participants in their quitline program successfully quit smoking permanently, compared to about 7% who attempt to quit unassisted.
What role does CDC OHS play in smoking cessation?
Ylioja: Over the past two years, NAQC’s survey data show that over 500,000 people received support in quitting through their quitline.
Quitlines are deeply integrated within the healthcare system. Many doctors refer individuals who smoke to the quitline for treatment because they lack the time or staff to provide counseling in the clinic.
The CDC OSH also runs the national
The Tips campaign has been highly successful, helping millions to quit since its inception in 2012.
Editor’s Note: An HHS official told Healthline that current
How will cuts to quitlines impact the health of Americans?
Ylioja: Without a widely recognized program like 800-QUIT-NOW being available and promoted, fewer people will be encouraged to quit, fewer will know where to seek help, and ultimately, fewer will succeed in quitting.
Quitlines have played a vital role over the past two decades in assisting individuals to quit smoking. Smoking remains the primary cause of chronic diseases, including cancers, heart disease, stroke, and COPD.
In the last decade, approximately 2.9 million people have received counseling or medications from their state quitline.
Countless others have utilized state quitline web and text messaging programs. Quitlines have enabled over a million smokers to quit.
Who will be most impacted by cuts to smoking cessation programs?
Ylioja: New NAQC survey data reveals that 74% of quitlines offer specialized services for youth, including assistance in quitting vaping or using e-cigarettes.
These programs are now at risk, which means more youth will be exposed to nicotine for extended periods.
One-third of quitline participants nationwide are on Medicaid. The burden on public health insurance is likely to increase due to the well-documented higher costs of medical care for smokers.
What are your major concerns about the long-term impacts of these cuts?
Ylioja: Over the past quarter-century, we’ve made tremendous strides in reducing smoking rates, from
Youth cigarette smoking is at an all-time low, and even vaping rates have decreased compared to the past decade. However, the use of other tobacco and nicotine products is on the rise as the tobacco industry seeks to reclaim its market share.
The cuts to CDC OSH pose a serious threat to reversing the significant progress we have achieved, potentially setting us back by 10 to 15 years.
Ultimately, these reductions will exacerbate and prolong the epidemic of tobacco-related chronic diseases, which continue to be the leading causes of disability and premature death.
Resources to help you quit
Quitlines like 1-800-QUIT-NOW can support you in quitting smoking and vaping for good. Other helpful resources include:
- Smokefree.gov
- We Are Truth
- Become an Ex
- Live Vape Free
- Quit For Life