Why It Matters
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund is fighting a two-front battle against federal health policy backsliding. On tobacco, the organization confronts a perfect storm: illegal vaping products flooding the market while the FDA authorized Juul e-cigarettes and the Trump administration eliminated a key CDC office that funded state smoking cessation programs. On opioids, despite declining overdose deaths, treatment access remains severely restricted by prior authorization requirements and regulatory barriers.
The Action Fund’s strategy: leverage Democratic congressional allies—particularly Senators Dick Durbin and Jeff Merkley—through an experienced in-house team to advance legislative solutions during significant regulatory retrenchment.
By the Numbers
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund spent $980,000 on lobbying in the last quarter of 2025 using an in-house team. The organization has filed 149 disclosures spanning over two decades with total spending exceeding $10.8 million. Since October 2022, 16 disclosures totaled $7.75 million.
The lobbying team includes three registered in-house lobbyists with significant congressional experience. Brian J. Hickey brings nearly six years as a Senate staffer for Democratic leaders including Senator Dick Durbin, while Luke C. George has over four years of House experience. Elizabeth Higgins Jones has been registered since October 2022.
The Agenda
The Action Fund is pursuing a dual-track approach targeting tobacco control and opioid treatment access. On tobacco, they’re backing enforcement bills including the S.T.O.P. Illicit Vaping Act and Tobacco TRACE Act to combat illegal e-cigarettes, while engaging on appropriations and FDA authority.
The organization has expanded into opioid policy through the GHAI Overdose Initiative, lobbying on the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, No Red Tape For Addiction Treatment Act, and Reentry Act to reduce treatment barriers and maintain Medicaid access for individuals leaving incarceration.
Broader Context
Federal tobacco control funding has collapsed under Trump. The American Lung Association downgraded the federal tobacco regulation grade from "C" to "D," while the FDA reports 54 percent of vaping products sold nationally are illegal. Democratic senators warned that cuts threaten progress against youth tobacco use.
On opioids, the CDC reports approximately 105,000 overdose deaths in 2023, though provisional data indicates deaths began declining in 2023 and continued through 2024.
Between The Lines
Congressional engagement creates multiple legislative opportunities. House Oversight hearings on FDA oversight and House Appropriations markup of the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science bill provide key venues for funding discussions. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and multiple senators have opposed the FDA’s Juul authorization.
Multiple Senate and House hearings on the opioid epidemic demonstrate continued congressional priority, with bipartisan support for treatment access legislation.
The Bottom Line
The Action Fund’s $980,000 last quarter spending reflects a strategic response to divergent political realities: tobacco control faces headwinds from federal cuts and regulatory rollback. Their team’s direct ties to Democratic leadership position them to capitalize on legislative opportunities despite an adverse regulatory environment.
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