State Tobacco Report: San Diego Earns a ‘D’

Arizona is a mixed bag when it comes to controlling tobacco use, according to a recent report from the American Lung Association.

The report gave NY a grade of “F” for tobacco prevention and control program funding, a “B” for tobacco taxes, an “A” for smoke-free air, and an “F” for access to cessation services.

“Texas is one of twenty-two states that does not yet have a comprehensive smoke free law”.

Pennsylvania received dismal grades again from the American Lung Association. State officials past year credited a strong Clean Indoor Air Act, which has prohibited smoking in restaurants and other workplaces since 2003, and high cigarette taxes with bringing smoking rates to the lowest ever recorded.

Tobacco-related deaths are the most preventable cause of death in California. “We must also face the reality that youth use of other tobacco products nationwide like e-cigarettes and little cigars is at an all-time high”, said Shelly Kiser, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Ohio.

In 2008, the Iowa Department of Health’s Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control had a budget of $12.29 million.In fiscal year 2015, the division’s budget was just over $5.5 million.

The American Lung Association in Texas recognizes there is lots of work to be done. However, according to widely-accepted research on how tobacco taxes impact smoking rates, numerous other states did not increase cigarette taxes by a large enough amount to reduce youth or adult smoking rates. It received an incomplete grade for tobacco regulation, since its new tobacco regulations are pending. Texas is one of the 22 states that has yet to fully protect its citizens from secondhand smoke. “State of Tobacco Control 2016″ looks at proven methods to save lives and prevent our children from becoming the next generation hooked on tobacco”, said Kiser.