The American Lung Association this week released its 14th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report that found Oklahoma in the past year has failed to enact the tobacco control policies the Association deems necessary to save lives.
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“They’re doing really great on the smoke-free air”, says Strother.
George Butterworth, the charity’s tobacco policy manager, said: “People’s health in the South West will pay a heavy price if funding is cut to the Stop Smoking Services in this area”.
Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland and the county all received passing grades for reducing sales of tobacco products through retailer licensing while Winters received an F for failing to do so. Dona Wininsky, director of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, said CDC develops the recommendation based on factors like state population, advertising cost and smoking rate.
The state has increased its cigarette tax by 35 cents a pack, but the association says the tax must go higher to be an effective disincentive. The report also shows that six California municipalities are leading the charge to adopt policies restricting sales of flavored tobacco products in response to mounting evidence regarding the likelihood of youth using candy or fruit-flavored tobacco products.
“As California tax payers, we’re spending billions on smoking related illnesses, so a $2 tobacco tax is nothing compared to what we’re spending in billions on healthcare”, said Felix.
“California must take stronger action to save lives and end the scourge of tobacco-related death and disease”, said Olivia J. Diaz-Lapham, president and CEO of the American Lung Association in California.
The World Health Organisation is calling on governments to rate movies that portray tobacco use in a bid to prevent children and adolescents from starting to smoke cigarettes and use other forms of tobacco.
The Lung Association recently rated all 50 states on their levels of tobacco control. While cigarette companies are prohibited from flavoring cigarettes, products like e-cigarettes and cigars have seen a rise in use. “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 French. Expanded quit-line services helped take OH from an F to a C for cessation efforts.
California and Missouri are the only states in the nation that have not raised tobacco taxes since 1999.
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The report also observed that many films produced outside of the United States also contain smoking scenes.
