Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Nearly 40 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes, and an estimated 2.55 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes. Every day, about 1,600 U.S. youth younger than 18 years smoke their first cigarette. Each year, nearly half a million Americans die prematurely of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Another 16 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Each year, the United States spends more than $225 billion on medical care to treat smoking-related disease in adults.

Resources

Find links to data, infographics, reports and other resources.

For Business Owners

The following signs are available for printing to erect at your establishment. The signs are based on the Virgin Islands Smoke Free Act:

No Smoking
No Smoking Within 20 Feet

§ 1487. Responsibilities of proprietors

The proprietor shall take the following measures to prevent smoking in public places or places of employment. The proprietor shall:

(1) Post signs in accordance with section 1486;

(2) Remove matches, cigarette lighters and ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited;

(3) Request of any person observed or believed to be smoking in an area where smoking is prohibited to refrain from smoking immediately and, if that person does not refrain from smoking after being asked to do so, the proprietor shall:

(A) Ask the person to leave the premises or establishment;

(B) Discontinue services to the person; and

(C) If the person refuses to leave, manage the situation consistent with the exercise of lawful methods for preserving the peace or preventing the commission of an offense pursuant to 14 V.I.C., $293.

How Much Will You Save?
Smoking cigarettes is expensive. Use our calculator to find out how much of your money is going up in smoke.

Talk with Your Teen About E-cigarettes: A Tip Sheet for Parents

Tobacco Complaint Form