Connecticut State Department of Public Health

Tobacco Control Program

 

Our Mission: To enhance the well-being of Connecticut's residents by promoting tobacco-free lifestyles and by educating communities about the economic and health costs and consequences of tobacco use. 

Our program coordinates and assists state and local efforts to prevent people from starting to use tobacco, help current tobacco users quit, and reduce nonsmokers' exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke.

The single most important thing you can do for your health is to be tobacco-free.



Did You Know?

  • Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.
  • Electronic Delivery Systems (ENDS) come in many forms, and vaping is now the most common form of tobacco used by Connecticut high school youth.
  • There are more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. Hundreds of these chemicals are toxic and about 70 are known to cause cancer in humans and animals, and at least 250 in secondhand smoke have been shown to damage health.  Carcinogens have also been found in secondhand aerosol produced by vaping.
  • Heart disease is the # 1 cause of death in the US and in Connecticut, and smoking is the #1 cause of heart disease.
  • Vaping was labeled an "epidemic" in 2018, and e-cigarette use in teens and young adults continues to increase.

Youth Data - Tobacco Use In Connecticut: Statistics & Reports



Food and Drug Administration Authority (FDA) over Tobacco Products 

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

In June 2009, the President signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) (Public Law 111-31) into law. This Act grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco.  They oversee the manufacture, marketing and distribution of these tobacco products in order to protect public health and to reduce tobacco use by children and adolescents. The Center for Tobacco Products at FDA was created to oversee and enforce the Tobacco Control Act.

The rule contains provisions designed to limit youth access to tobacco products, as well as restrictions on marketing to curb the appeal of these products to youth. Provisions of the new FDA regulations went into effect on June 22, 2010.  The FDA deemed authority over electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in 2016. Implementation will begin in May 2020.

FDA takes significant steps to protect Americans from dangers of tobacco through new regulationp

Visit the FDA website to learn more about the FDA regulations regarding tobacco products. 



Thinking About Quitting?

Connecticut Quitline at 1-800-784-8669
For Free Help or Information to Quit:

 
Become an Ex through face-to-face, in-person cessation programsThe Become an EX online program is also available to help you re-learn life without cigarettes or vapes. 
 

 

Face-to-face "in person" programs are available: Local Community Cessation Directory

Smartphone apps and more information are available at smokefree.gov.

Youth cessation information



Additional Information:



Resources:



For more information, please call or email the Tobacco Control Program: 

Phone: (860) 509-8251

Email: DPHTobacco@ct.gov 
 
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