Top Takeaways:

• The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA) will cease legislative advocacy by August 2025 due to funding shortages.
• CASAA, a consumer-focused nonprofit since 2009, has played a pivotal role in opposing restrictive vaping laws and promoting tobacco harm reduction.
• The organization plans to maintain its website as a legacy resource for tobacco harm reduction information.

The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA), a prominent nonprofit dedicated to tobacco harm reduction, announced it will wind down operations by the end of August 2025. The decision stems from persistent funding challenges that have made continued advocacy untenable.

In a message to members dated May 27, Executive Director Alex Clark stated, “We are taking this opportunity to announce that 2025 will be CASAA’s last year of active engagements.” He further noted that while legislative advocacy will cease, the organization’s website will remain active as a legacy resource.

Founded in 2009, CASAA emerged as a grassroots response to increasing regulatory pressures on vaping and other reduced-harm nicotine products. Operating as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, it distinguished itself by representing consumers rather than industry stakeholders.

For nearly 25 years, CASAA mobilized consumers to oppose restrictive legislation, submitted comments on regulatory proposals, and provided educational resources on its website. Notably, in 2013, CASAA members funded a significant study on e-cigarette toxicology conducted by Professor Igor Burstyn of Drexel University.

The organization also played a role in founding the International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations (INNCO), extending its influence beyond the United States.

Financial Struggles

Despite a membership base of approximately 250,000, CASAA faced ongoing financial difficulties. Monthly donations from consumers averaged around $2,000, falling short of the estimated $10,000 needed for sustainable operations. While industry donations, including from major tobacco companies, had supplemented funding, CASAA’s opposition to certain industry-backed policies led to a decline in industry support.

Clark emphasized the organization’s commitment to independence, stating that reliance on consumer funding allowed CASAA to maintain unbiased advocacy positions. However, the financial shortfall ultimately necessitated the decision to cease active operations.

As CASAA prepares to conclude its advocacy work, its website will serve as a repository of information on tobacco harm reduction, aiming to educate and inform future stakeholders, according to Clark.

The organization’s closure marks the end of a significant chapter in consumer-led advocacy for reduced-harm nicotine products. Its contributions to public discourse and policy debates have left an indelible mark on the landscape of tobacco harm reduction.