FIGHTING FOR

  • KIDS
  • HEALTH
  • LIVES
  • EQUITY
  • CHANGE
  • 25 YEARS

TAKING ON THE TOUGHEST FIGHTS FOR 25 YEARS

WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR

Twenty-five years ago, we were created to take on Big Tobacco. Victory was hardly certain in a world where Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man were accepted cultural icons attracting and addicting new generations of smokers. Guided by our commitment to health and social justice, and dedicated to smart, tenacious advocacy in support of proven public policies and programs, we stood tall in partnership with others to prevent millions of premature deaths and protect our kids.

The result? Countless lives saved and proof that passionate, strategic advocates can defeat the toughest of foes.

But that was just the beginning. Lowering the teen smoking rate by 84% in the United States wasn’t just progress, it was invaluable practice for addressing the global tobacco epidemic. Our success has provided a roadmap for efforts to end preventable death from tobacco across the globe. Over the last 15 years, we have worked with local partners and allies in low- and middle-income countries to prevent over 35 million premature deaths.

A quarter century of going toe to toe with the tobacco industry has proven the power of relentless advocacy to save lives. Using that success as our compass we have set our sights on tackling other public health challenges through our Global Health Advocacy Incubator. Because if we can accomplish one seemingly impossible task, why not others? We know what works and we are using the skills, knowledge and lessons learned to reduce needless deaths from other causes, such as road crashes, unhealthy food and sugary drinks, drowning, and other public health issues.

That’s why this year isn’t just a celebration — it’s a recommitment. To redouble our efforts to create the first tobacco-free generation and address other seemingly intractable public health challenges. To build a more equitable, just and healthier future. To tackle adversity with collaboration, intimidation with integrity, and deception with evidence.

We are fighting for health, for kids, for equity, for change, for you. And together, we are Taking on the Toughest Fights.

25 YEARS OF IMPACT

OUR NATIONAL IMPACT

For 25 years the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has been instrumental in nearly every one of our nation’s major tobacco control victories. Together with our powerful coalition of partners, we drive major policy change, win historic legal battles, counter the tobacco industry’s shameful tactics, engage youth leaders, fight alongside communities disproportionately impacted by tobacco use, and grow the tobacco control movement across the U.S.

OUR GLOBAL IMPACT

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ success in helping lower smoking rates in the U.S. has provided invaluable experience for addressing the global tobacco epidemic. Since our global tobacco control program launched in 2006, we have worked with local partners in more than 60 low- and middle-income countries to pass strong tobacco control laws that will help prevent over 35 million premature deaths and supported landmark legal and public policy victories around the world.

VOICES IN THE FIGHT
25TH ANNIVERSARY PROFILE SERIES

Meet Agamroop Kaur
Fighting for the Next Generation.

LEARN MORE

25th Anniversary Storytelling Series

Throughout our anniversary year, we are hosting a three-part series of virtual events that tell the story of our origins and set our sights on the path ahead. Our first storytelling event took place in March 2021 and featured a conversation with Bill Novelli, Tobacco-Free Kids’ co-founder and Board Chair, as we reflected on our U.S. origin and impact.

U.S. Tobacco
Control Story

Originally livestreamed on March 4, 2021

Bill Novelli, founder of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, discusses the origins of the U.S. tobacco control movement, the inception of Tobacco-Free Kids, and how the early fight against Big Tobacco continues to inspire young advocates today. This hour-long conversation is the first installment of our virtual storytelling series that will take place throughout our yearlong 25th anniversary celebration.

WATCH LIVESTREAM

Global Tobacco
Control Story

Originally livestreamed on June 24, 2021

Seven distinguished public health leaders and advocates from around the world share stories about how the global tobacco control movement has achieved significant declines in tobacco use in countries around the world. This hour-long webinar is the second installment in a three-part 25th Anniversary storytelling series.

WATCH LIVESTREAM

Global Health Advocacy
Incubator Story

Originally livestreamed on November 4, 2021

Over the past eight years, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) has helped civil society organizations around the world achieve health policy victories covering 2 billion people. In this third and final installment of the 25th Anniversary storytelling series, GHAI’s global team and national partners share how the mission grew from the successes and lessons learned by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ work — and where they are going from here.

WATCH LIVESTREAM

THE BARRIE FISKE YOUTH LEADERSHIP FUND

Barrie Fiske was a tireless tobacco control champion committed to using her strong voice to fight for change. Born with cystic fibrosis, Barrie faced a real threat to her health whenever exposed to secondhand smoke. Rejecting smoke-filled places that put her and everyone else at risk, Barrie spoke up and advocated for everyone’s right to breathe clean, smoke-free air.

The Barrie Fiske Youth Leadership Fund will provide the foundational funding to take our Youth Advocacy program to a new level. The "Barrie Fund" will support our efforts to foster a new generation of young leaders and advocates to fight for change and end the tobacco epidemic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BARRIE FUND