LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy honored communities, groups and individuals from across the state who are making progress in creating healthier, smoke-free communities at the 2026 Kentucky Tobacco Control Conference held April 16 at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown.

Public health leaders, researchers and educators from across the state gathered for the annual event, which focused on advancing strategies to prevent tobacco use and improve access to treatment services in Kentucky. The conference was hosted by the University of Kentucky College of Nursing's Kentucky Center for Smoke-Free Policy and the Kentucky Department for Public Health's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program.

Graham Warren, M.D., director of the Tobacco, Research, Universal Screening and Treatment initiative at the UK Markey Cancer Center, received the Timothy W. Mullett, M.D., Lung Cancer Prevention Award for leadership in advancing tobacco control policy to prevent lung cancer. Casey Baker-Romans, substance use prevention health educator with the Northern Kentucky Health Department, received the David B. Stevens, M.D., Smoke-free Advocate of the Year Award.

The city of Ludlow received the Everette Varney Smoke-Free Indoor Air Excellence Award for exceptional leadership and collaborative efforts in promoting the health of its citizens by enacting a comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinance.

The conference highlighted emerging trends in tobacco use, innovative treatment approaches and the power of personal storytelling. Brain King, Ph.D., executive vice president for U.S. programs at the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and former director of the Center for Tobacco Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, delivered the keynote address.

Amanda Bucher, KCSP program director in the UK College of Nursing, emphasized the significance of tobacco control efforts. "Tobacco use remains one of the leading preventable causes of death in Kentucky, costing our state $2.23 billion in annual health care expenditures. Prioritizing comprehensive tobacco control efforts is critical to improving the health of our communities," Bucher said in a statement.