American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2012 report released today

This morning (Jan. 19^th), the American Lung Association released its 2012 State of Tobacco Control report, which grades states and the federal government on key tobacco control policies. This is the 10^th year we’ve released the report. We have set up a separate website for the report at www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org, which we encourage you to check out.

Overall, the report found that the federal government made major advances in 2011 to enact strong tobacco control policies, including unveiling new graphic warning labels for cigarettes packages and advertisements and offering comprehensive cessation benefits to federal employees and their families.

However, states, for the most part, failed to make any progress in the fight against tobacco use in 2011, and some even regressed. No state passed a comprehensive smokefree air law and only two states increased tobacco taxes by amounts that will likely have little to no effect on smoking rates. Cuts to vital tobacco prevention and cessation programs also continued. Only four states – Delaware, Hawaii, Maine and Oklahoma – earned all passing grades.

We hope the report proves useful in your advocacy efforts in 2012. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Source: Thomas Carr, Director, National Policy, American Lung Association