Smokefree Advocacy
National Advocacy
Smokefree SC stands with Public Health Organizations across the country in urging the FDA to act swiftly in finalizing Docket Number FDA-2021-N-1349 Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes and Docket Number FDA-2021-N-1309 Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars. We believe both of these proposals will translate into substantial reductions in preventable tobacco-related deaths and disease.
Read our Comment Letter to the FDA for Docket Number FDA-2021-N-1349 Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes here.
Read our Comment Letter to the FDA for Docket Number FDA-2021-N-1309 Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars here.
Statewide Advocacy
Secondhand smoke can be highly toxic to adults, children, and babies who are exposed, yet less than half of South Carolina is protected by smokefree and tobacco-free policies. We encourage individuals and groups to stay informed about bills related to tobacco products and to help educate South Carolina lawmakers about the most effective policies to protect South Carolinians from the harms of commercial tobacco products.
Growing Grassroots: Education and Advocacy Training
October 18, 2023 Columbia, SC
This was an opportunity for our tobacco prevention and control partners that was led by Beth Johnson from ACS CAN and Kellie Lamb from ACS. The training covered current tobacco use data, how to start a grassroots effort, advocating and educating at the local level, using the media to advocate and educate, and other applicable topics. Attendees also took a tour of the SC State House after the training.
Education and Advocacy Training slides
See you again in spring of 2024 for the next training!
Past 2023 Session Update, March 24, 2023
Presenter: Beth Johnson, Government Relations Director
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Current Tobacco-Related Bills
Act 38 Omnibus Tobacco Enforcement Act of 2023
Past Tobacco-Related Bills (2023 Legislative Session)
H. 3681 Preemption
H. 3111 Tobacco Retail License
Advocate for Good Policy
Make sure your opinion is heard through calls, emails, and letters to your state Senators and Representatives.
Local Advocacy
Smokefree SC partners with coalitions throughout the state to help promote and support smokefree and tobacco-free work with the goal of implementing local ordinances in the respective communities. Please contact Terra Bell if you are interested in starting a coalition in your community. We are currently supporting the following coalitions:
Letter to the Editor: Smokefree SC Board Member Tammy Timms recently wrote a letter to The Greer Citizen advocating for smokefree policy and ordinances to be supported in Greer. She works in Greer and believes it is time for Greer to make a positive change for its residents and workers. We appreciate Tammy's advocacy and support! You can read her letter here.