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Our mission

A California without Big Tobacco isn’t just possible – it’s already happening.12

As a program of the California Department of Public Health, UNDO is one of the nation’s leading public health programs – fighting to end Big Tobacco’s deadly epidemic in California. We work every day to undo the tobacco industry’s damage and restore health and wellness to every Californian. Because we all deserve to live in healthy communities with clean air and water, and free from the tobacco industry’s death, disease, and toxic waste.345678 And kids should be able to grow up without Big Tobacco poisoning their future.

For more than 30 years, California has been a forerunner in the fight against Big Tobacco.91011 When we act, others follow. But we aren’t at the finish line yet.

Through our community engagement, addiction interventions, research, and bold public education campaigns, UNDO works every day to support California communities in building a healthier future. Together, our goals are to:

  1. Eliminate Big Tobacco’s influence in California on our laws, our politicians, and our economy
  2. End the tobacco epidemic in California by helping people quit and by disrupting the industry’s efforts to retain customers and addict new ones
  3. Free all California communities from Big Tobacco’s products, toxic waste, and secondhand smoke by making the tobacco industry’s products less desirable, acceptable, and accessible. 

A California without Big Tobacco isn’t just possible – it’s already happening.12 Together, California is undoing Big Tobacco’s deadly epidemic – join us.

“

I started vaping to try to deal with stress. I quit because of my son.

ISAIAH — LOS ANGELES, CA

A young soldier started vaping to try to cope with stress in the military – and quit to be a better role model for his son.

Read more
“

We’re reclaiming our culture back from Big Tobacco.

ANNELIA — YUROK TRIBE – YUROK COUNTRY, CA

A Native American woman helps her community reclaim and protect their sacred tobacco traditions from Big Tobacco.

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“

We tackled vaping head-on. It’s the only way we know.

COACH SANCHEZ — REDDING, CA

When Coach Sanchez learned his players were vaping, he recruited their families to help raise the standards on and off the field.

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Our work makes an impact

1 million +

lives saved12131415

2 California cities

have ended the sale of tobacco products12

42% decrease

in lung cancer rates in California16
Get more impact stats

Read more about our work and wins

Layla, Galia, Lizzy

Explore

Our work
Our work brings together concerned Californians who want to protect their community and families from Big Tobacco’s epidemic. From community engagement to education campaigns to research and reports, we’re giving Californians the tools to fight the industry.
Learn more about our work
Our impact
We’ve made a lot of progress towards ending the tobacco industry’s influence in the last 30 years.345 But the fight’s not over.
Learn more about our impact

In the news

Banning Menthol Cigarettes: California-Based Advocacy Group Joins Suit Against Federal Govt.
Post News Group
Urged on by LGBTQ+ Activists, California Cities Weigh Stricter Smoking Rules
California Healthline
Santa Rosa approves ban on e-cigarette, flavored tobacco sales
The Press Democrat
Yurok Join War on Tobacco with unprecedented policy
Del Norte Triplicate
Smoking Rates Fell After a Ban on Menthol Cigarettes
The New York Times logo
Supreme Court leaves California’s ban on flavored cigarettes in place
Photo with no alt text
California’s Anti-Smoking Push Spurs Big Savings on Health Costs
UCSF
Voters approve California law banning flavored tobacco
Associated Press

Explore the tobacco industry's damage

The tobacco industry currently spends billions each year on slick marketing tactics and political influence so they can profit off death and disease.1718
Learn more
Even for people who don’t use tobacco, there can be deadly consequences.19
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The industry calls kids their “replacement customers.”20 Big Tobacco sentences them to a lifetime of addiction and disease.
Learn more
This racist and unjust industry has strategically targeted certain communities with deadly products and manipulative messaging.21
Learn more
No one’s safe from the environmental damage and health risks from toxic tobacco waste and its plastic pollution.22232425262728
Learn more
Frankie and daughter

Protect the people and places you love

Speak up against Big Tobacco’s damage now.
Raise your voice
  1. Beverly Hills City Ordinance No. 19-O-2783. June, 2019. Accessed June, 2024. https://www.beverlyhills.org/DocumentCenter/View/814/Ordinance-No-19-O-2783-PDF
  2. Action on Smoking & Health California. Phasing out the sale of tobacco products: Case Study Manhattan Beach. Updated September 2021, Accessed June, 2024. https://endtobaccoca.ash.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/CS_ManhattanBeach_V1_Final.pdf
  3. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The toll of tobacco in California. Updated June 13, 2024. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-us/california
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Archive: Diseases and Death. Updated July 29, 2022. Accessed July 3, 2024. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/diseases-and-death.html
  5. Hendlin YH. Alert: Public Health Implications of Electronic Cigarette Waste. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(11):1489-1490. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304699
  6. Novotny TE, Bialous SA, Burt L, et al. The environmental and health impacts of tobacco agriculture, cigarette manufacture and consumption. Bull World Health Organ. 2015;93(12):877-880. doi:10.2471/BLT.15.152744
  7. Novotny TE, Slaughter E. Tobacco Product Waste: An Environmental Approach to Reduce Tobacco Consumption. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2014;1(3):208-216. Published 2014 May 6. doi:10.1007/s40572-014-0016-x
  8. Krause MJ, Townsend TG. Hazardous waste status of discarded electronic cigarettes. Waste Manag. 2015;39:57-62. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2015.02.005
  9. Roeseler A, Burns D. The quarter that changed the world. Tobacco control. 2010; 19(Suppl 1), doi: 10.1136/tc.2009.030809
  10. Tobacco Industry Efforts to Influence Tobacco Control Media Interventions. Monograph 19: The Role of the Media in Promoting and Reducing Tobacco Use. Published June 2020. Accessed March 11, 2024. https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/m19_1.pdf
  11. "Master Settlement Agreement" (PDF). National Association of Attorneys General. 1998. https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/resources/master-settlement-agreement.pdf
  12. California's award-winning tobacco control program marks its 20th anniversary. News release. California Department of Public Health; April 7, 2009. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2009/04/07/1184068/0/en/California-s-Award-Winning-Tobacco-Control-Program-Marks-Its-20th-Anniversary.html
  13. United Health Foundation. America's Health Rankings Analysis of CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. AmericasHealthRankings.org. Accessed May 17, 2024. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/Smoking/CA
  14. U.S. Census Bureau. Census 2000 Summary File 2. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDPSF22000.DP1
  15. U.S. Census Bureau. 2020 Census Demographic Profile. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1
  16. California Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted invasive cancer incidence rates in California; lung and bronchus, 1988-2017. Accessed June 24, 2024. https://www.ccrcal.org/retrieve-data/data-library/#273-205-statistical-tables-166551178
  17. Federal Trade Commission. Federal Trade Commission Cigarette Report for 2020. Washington, D.C.: Federal Trade Commission. October, 2021. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.ftc.gov/reports/federal-trade-commission-cigarette-report-2020-smokeless-tobacco-report-2020
  18. Open Secrets. Industry Profile: Tobacco. Summary of 2021. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/industries/summary?cycle=2021&id=A02
  19. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The health consequences of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke: a report of the surgeon general. Office of Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published 2006. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/research/apr/reports/l4000a.pdf
  20. UCSF Industry Documents Library. Younger adult smokers: strategies and opportunities. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Published February 29, 1984. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/rkvk0045
  21. Anderson SJ. Marketing of menthol cigarettes and consumer perceptions: a review of tobacco industry documents. Tob Control. 2011;20 Suppl 2(Suppl_2):ii20-ii28. doi:10.1136/tc.2010.041939
  22. Break Free From Plastic. Branded Vol. III Demanding corporate accountability for plastic pollution. Brand Audit 2020. Published 2020. Accessed July 10, 2024. https://brandaudit.breakfreefromplastic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/BFFP-Brand-Audit-Report-2020.pdf.
  23. Poma A, Vecchiotti G, Colafarina S, et al. In Vitro Genotoxicity of Polystyrene Nanoparticles on the Human Fibroblast Hs27 Cell Line. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2019;9(9):1299. Published 2019 Sep 11. doi:10.3390/nano9091299
  24. Zarus GM, Muianga C, Hunter CM, Pappas RS. A review of data for quantifying human exposures to micro and nanoplastics and potential health risks. Sci Total Environ. 2021;756:144010. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144010.
  25. Jacob H, Besson M, Swarzenski PW, Lecchini D, Metian M. Effects of Virgin Micro- and Nanoplastics on Fish: Trends, Meta-Analysis, and Perspectives. Environ Sci Technol. 2020;54(8):4733-4745. doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b05995
  26. Ziv-Gal A, Flaws JA. Evidence for bisphenol A-induced female infertility: a review (2007-2016). Fertil Steril. 2016;106(4):827-856. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.06.027
  27. Campanale C, Massarelli C, Savino I, Locaputo V, Uricchio VF. A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(4):1212. Published 2020 Feb 13. doi:10.3390/ijerph17041212
  28. Belzagui F, Buscio V, Gutiérrez-Bouzán C, Vilaseca M. Cigarette butts as a microfiber source with a microplastic level of concern. Science of The Total Environment. 2021;762:144165. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144165