Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vaping
Educate, Support, Quit
Overview
Tobacco use is a top preventable cause of disease and death in Alaska. Smoking alone is linked to about 600 deaths each year in Alaska.
Health harm
There are known health harms to all tobacco and nicotine products.
Cigarette smoking
Cigarette smoking
Leads to disease and death, and harms nearly every organ of the body.
E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes
Contains ingredients known to harm the body and typically includes nicotine, a highly addictive chemical.
Smokeless tobacco
Smokeless tobacco
Increases chances of oral diseases, cancer, and reproductive and developmental risks.
- Iqmik: Includes the same health risks as other forms of smokeless tobacco products. Iqmik is a form of smokeless tobacco made from a mixture of fungus ashes and commercial tobacco leaves.
Secondhand smoke and vape aerosol
Secondhand smoke and vape aerosol
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke or vape aerosol.
Strategies
There are proven tobacco prevention and control strategies that reduce tobacco use over time. Comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs save lives and taxpayer dollars. This comprehensive approach:
- Prevents youth from starting to use tobacco
- Protects the public from exposure to secondhand smoke
- Promotes quitting tobacco products and provides access to quit supports
- Reduces tobacco-related disparities
Progress over time
Progress over time
Alaska has made historic progress over time. Thanks to evidence-based strategies, Alaska’s smoking rates are lower than ever.
- Smoking prevalence among Alaska adults has declined significantly in the long term, from 27% in 1997 to 15.4% in 2023.
- The percentage of Alaska high school students who currently smoke cigarettes has decreased significantly from 37% in 1995 to 6.5% in 2023.
Work to be done
Work to be done
We have more work to do. Despite these encouraging trends, tobacco use is still a leading cause of preventable death in Alaska. 24% of Alaska adults currently use some form of tobacco or nicotine. That’s about 1 in 4 adults.
Many communities still use tobacco at higher rates. Continued statewide efforts are needed to close these gaps.
As of the most recent 2023 state data, 22.9% of high school students currently use some form of tobacco or nicotine product. That’s about 1 in 4 students. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among Alaska high school students. The chemical nicotine found in most of these products is highly addictive and harmful to developing brains.
Get involved
Everyone can support tobacco-free public spaces and community events. These actions help create a healthier, tobacco-free Alaska.
People who smoke, vape, or chew
People who smoke, vape, or chew
Contact Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line for FREE support to quit. Services include quit coaching, nicotine gum, lozenges and patches, and more. If you’re not ready to quit, keep smoking outside, away from others and protected areas.
Businesses
Businesses
Follow Alaska’s Smokefree Workplace Law by ensuring smoking and vaping happens outside and away from others.
Health care providers
Health care providers
Visit akbriefintervention.org for free training on tobacco screening and referral to Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line for patients who smoke, vape, or chew.
Educators
Educators
Order free resources for schools from Alaska’s youth tobacco and nicotine toolkit.
Parent/Caregivers
Parent/Caregivers
Talk to kids about the harms of tobacco and nicotine. Find free resources to support these conversations at AK Live Vape Free.
Youth
Youth
Explore Alaska’s Not Buying It campaign to get the facts about tobacco and vaping and find resources to quit.