The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared that tobacco use is the most important single preventable cause of death in the United States.
A tobacco product is any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption. It includes combustible products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and hookah, and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems like e-cigarettes (vaping), as well as smokeless and oral products like pouches, snuff, nicotine powder, and chewing tobacco. Our association is particularly concerned about flavored tobacco products, as these products are highly addictive and designed to be appealing to youth due to their candy-like flavors, sleek packaging, and ability to be used discreetly. Some vaping products also incorporate internet-enabled technology, including Bluetooth connectivity, app integration, and gaming-style features that may increase their appeal to children and youth. These products can blur the line between nicotine use, gaming, and digital engagement, creating additional concerns about youth addiction, exposure, and long-term use.
Tobacco products are the most common form of drug addiction in our country, and children and youth are beginning to use tobacco products, especially flavored tobacco products, at younger ages. Research shows that the earlier tobacco use begins, the less likely the user is to quit. Early use of tobacco products is associated with impaired brain development, anxiety and depression, poor academic performance, and elevated risk of long-term cardiovascular, respiratory, and oral health problems. The use of vaping and other tobacco products on school grounds is also incredibly disruptive to the learning experience not only for the users themselves, but for the entire school community.
A landmark 1998 agreement called the Multi-state Tobacco Settlement has greatly affected the tobacco industry’s ability to market to children. The settlement established new restrictions on marketing and advertising and created a National Foundation for a public education program and research. Despite this progress, more action is needed to protect today’s children and youth from the dangers of tobacco products.
PTA will participate with other organizations in educating the public about the dangers of tobacco products, their effects, and the cost of the use of tobacco products to children and society as a whole.
PTA will continue to support efforts to prohibit and prevent the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 21, as well as advocating for measures that would prohibit companies from targeting youth in the advertising, promotion, or marketing of tobacco products.. Moreover, PTA supports efforts to prohibit the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of flavored tobacco products that are designed to be appealing to youth, and our association advocates for measures that would secure the removal of these products from the market to prevent youth addiction. We encourage policymakers to strengthen the existing oversight and accountability measures that ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This includes supporting implementation of the restrictions placed on tobacco companies in marketing to minors and other provisions included in the Multi-State Tobacco Settlement and holding the companies that manufacture, market, or sell tobacco products accountable for any violations of existing laws and regulations.
PTA urges Congress to impose strict health and safety testing regulations on all tobacco products and additives. Further, PTA and its constituent associations should encourage school health education programs to include information regarding the dangers of tobacco products and additives. PTA and its constituent associations also seek to increase efforts to educate the public about the dangers of involuntary/secondhand smoking and its effects on a child's development. PTA urges robust investments in efforts to research, prevent, and address tobacco addiction, especially efforts focused on protecting children and youth from the dangers of tobacco products.
Adopted: by the 2001 Board of Directors
Amended: by the 2022 Board of Directors
Amended: by the 2026 Board of Directors
Per the National PTA Governance Policy Manual, this position statement will be reviewed in 2031.