Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is assessing the damage caused by recent HHS cuts to tobacco cessation programs, an act that undermines public health initiatives and potentially benefits Big Tobacco. By scrutinizing these government policies, the organization reinforces its commitment to advocating for vulnerable communities and resisting authoritarian measures that compromise public welfare.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, led by President and CEO Yolonda C. Richardson, issued a statement on April 01, 2025, condemning mass layoffs and cuts at the FDA, CDC, and related agencies. The statement argues that these cuts will benefit the tobacco industry at the expense of children's health and undermine critical public health infrastructure.

The OpenSecrets profile outlines Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' political activity, revealing $2.16M spent on lobbying in 2024 and a pronounced revolving door dynamic, with a significant proportion of lobbyists having held previous government positions. This highlights the organization's active political engagement in advocating for public health regulations against tobacco use.

According to OpenSecrets data, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids spent $2,160,000 on lobbying activities during 2024. This expenditure reflects the organization's active involvement in influencing policy, specifically aiming to promote stricter tobacco control measures which protect children and marginalized communities.

On February 6, 2024, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, led by President and CEO Yolonda C. Richardson, issued a public statement urging the U.S. House of Representatives to reject proposed cuts to the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The organization argued that the cuts would undermine critical public health initiatives, including tobacco prevention, and jeopardize efforts to reduce preventable diseases.

On May 14, 2014, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' President Matthew L. Myers issued a statement condemning the tobacco industry's use of child labor on U.S. tobacco farms. The statement called for robust regulatory reforms to hold the industry accountable for exposing children to hazardous conditions, marking a strong public stand against exploitation.