Latest News

The NCQA podcast recently featured an episode discussion about the new HEDIS measure, Tobacco Use Screening and Cessation Intervention (TSC-E). Listen to the podcast and find more information about the measure here: A New Approach to an Old Problem: Tobacco - NCQA

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) updated its analysis on how the One Big Beautiful Bill will affect the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and the Uninsured Rate. Read the article here: https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/how-will-the-2025-budget-reconciliation-affect-the-aca-medicaid-and-the-uninsured-rate/

The Latino Coordinating Center for a Tobacco-Free California (LCC) is now accepting applications for the fall cohort of the LCC Internship Program, which provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable skills while supporting the work of the LCC and its mission to reduce tobacco-related disparities among Latino communities throughout California. 

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announces new HEDIS measure for MY 2026, Tobacco Use Screening and Cessation Intervention (TSC-E). Read more about the measure here.

American Lung Association (ALA) issued a press release on their new report detailing the impact of CDC funding cuts on state programs, which receive federal funding from OSH, to prevent tobacco use among youth and help people quit tobacco.

Read the story at either of the following links:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/health/trump-budget-cuts-anti-smoking-tobacco.html

Trump Budget Cuts Hobble Antismoking Programs - The New York Times.pdf

The Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment's 2nd Annual Research Symposium will take place on May 30th from 8:30am-3:00pm. Abstract submissions for poster presentations are due April 30th at 5pm (PT). More information about this hybrid symposium can be found on their event webpage.

CDC's MMWR using National Health Interview Survey shows adult tobacco use trends in 2017-2023:

The American Lung Association released the 23rd annual “State of Tobacco Control” report. This report evaluates states and the federal government on the proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies necessary to save lives. The ALA assigns letter grades, A through F, to the state and federal policies best proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use.

https://amp.sacbee.com/news/business/article299061950.html

FDA issued a proposed rule to reduce nicotine in cigarettes and other combusted tobacco products. Starting on January 16, the public will have through September 15, 2025, to provide comments, which the agency will review as it considers future action.

The TCPRC team developed a statewide policy brief to help educate about the need for 2 bills which will help with enforcement of existing flavored tobacco sales restriction policies: