- 19.3% of American adults smoke cigarettes, generating $82 billion annually for the tobacco industry. Smoking has killed 12 million Americans over the past 40 years. - The US government implements some anti-smoking policies like health warnings and ads, but spends only 2% of the $25 billion collected annually in cigarette taxes on tobacco control programs. - More graphic anti-smoking ads that highlight the social consequences of smoking, especially targeting youth, may help reduce smoking rates, which have not declined significantly in the past 5 years despite current policies. However, states rely heavily on cigarette tax revenues.