by Playfuls Staff |
10th January 2007
States with smoke-free workplace laws and a national $1-a-pack average cigarette tax earned kudos Tuesday from the American [more] Lung Association.
However, the annual report card also noted that that the majority of states fail to adequately fund programs to prevent tobacco use, the association said in a release.
The State of Tobacco Control 2006 report graded the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in four categories: smoke-free air, tobacco taxes, prevention funding and restrictions on youth access to tobacco products.
For the second straight year, only Maine earned A's in all categories, the association said.
The 2006 report gave 26 states and the District of Columbia passing grades for having laws that make workplaces free of tobacco smoke. Another 23 states flunked.
While overall funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs increased, 34 states received F's for the amount spent on smoking cessation programs. Nine states received A's, up from six in 2005.
The federal government flunked because it did not take "meaningful steps to curb tobacco use," said John L. Kirkwood, American Lung Association president and CEO.
"Our report sets a high standard," Kirkwood said.
© 2007 UPI
