Louisiana Tobacco Control Program

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Report Card Shows Many States Failing to Protect the Public with Proven Tobacco Policies

Publish date: Jan 06, 2003

Louisiana flunks in four categories

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 -- While there were bright spots in 2003, the American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2003 report card clearly shows that most states are not taking the necessary measures to protect children and adults from the deadly effects of tobacco smoke. The American Lung Association looked at laws on smoking in the workplace, cigarette taxes, youth access to tobacco and funding of smoking prevention programs. Sadly, most states failed to make the grade, and the fact remains that more than 440,000 people die from tobacco-related illnesses each year.

“How many more preventable deaths must occur and how many more children must become addicted to cigarettes before we say enough?” asked John K. Kirkwood, CEO and president of the American Lung Association. “This report highlights that tough laws save lives and protect our children. From Maine to California, we have the data to prove that funding comprehensive prevention programs, raising cigarette taxes, providing smokefree air and preventing the sale of cigarettes to children can dramatically reduce tobacco use and disease. The American Lung Association calls on governors and legislatures to stand up for public health, stand up for our children and support the solution.”

January 11 marks 40 years since the first U.S. Surgeon General’s report linked smoking with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, lung cancer and other diseases, and the nation has made many gains in tobacco control. But the fight is not over. The American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2003 report card found:

-- 38 states and the District of Columbia received an “F” in funding tobacco prevention and control programs; -- 35 states and the District of Columbia received an “F” in smokefree air laws; -- 13 states received an “F” in tobacco taxes -- 23 states received an “F” in laws limiting youth access to tobacco

According to the American Lung Association report, these grades help illustrate why smoking costs the United States approximately $75 billion in direct medical costs and $82 billion in lost productivity each year.

The news is not all bad. Fifteen states throughout the country received an “A” for their laws in at least one of the four categories analyzed. Five states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine and Rhode Island) achieved “A” grades in two areas. Only New York received an “A” grade in three areas.

“We commend states for making progress in clearing tobacco smoke from the air and increasing cigarette taxes, but we need a comprehensive approach to address the harm tobacco causes,” said Kirkwood. “State legislators and governors must act quickly to prevent the 1,200 deaths now occurring each day from tobacco-related illnesses.” The American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2003 report card analyzes individual states’ actions five years after the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), through which the tobacco industry agreed to pay 46 states approximately $206 billion over 25 years, in recovery of the states' tobacco-related health care costs. Four states settled their tobacco lawsuits separately for a total of $40 billion over 25 years. STATE AND LOCAL SMOKEFREE AIR LAWS ARE ON THE RISE Following on the heels of Delaware, four states -- Connecticut, Florida, Maine and New York -- passed or expanded laws protecting workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. In late December the Massachusetts legislature passed a comprehensive smokefree air law. Municipalities in several states, including Hawaii, have passed local ordinances that ensure smokefree air. Tobacco control advocates continue to fight state initiatives that establish "preemption," whereby weaker statewide legislation would overrule stricter local ordinances. The American Lung Association strongly opposes preemption and supports communities' rights to pass ordinances protecting the health of their citizens. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org/.