State of Tobacco Control: 2008

Every year since its inception in 2003, the American Lung Association publishes its State of Tobacco Control report, in which all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the federal government are given letter grades from A to F in the following three areas of tobacco control:

• Tobacco Taxes -- States are graded according to where their state tax on cigarettes falls based on the collective average of all state cigarette taxes.

• Smoke-free Air -- States are graded on the types of facilities in their state that are protected by smoke-free air laws, including private workplaces, schools and restaurants. New with this year's report are the additions of bars and non-tribal casinos.

• Tobacco Prevention and Control Spending -- States are graded on the amount of funding put into play for tobacco prevention and control programs.

New with the 2008 report is a fourth category:

• Cessation Coverage -- The amount of smoking cessation support offered to citizens via services and treatments is now graded on a state-by-state basis.

Highlights from the 2008 report include:

• Hats Off to Iowa and Nebraska
  The American Lung Association's Smoke-Free Challenge, an initiative that began in 2006, asks states and localities to enact legislation banning smoking in all public places and workplaces by December 31, 2010. To date, just 23 states and the District of Columbia have met the challenge. 2008 saw two more states added to the roster: Iowa and Nebraska.

• San Francisco Bans Sales of Tobacco in Pharmacies
  Legislators passed a bill prohibiting sales of tobacco products in drug stores within the city of San Francisco. Tobacco giant, Philip Morris and pharmacy chain, Walgreens both filed injunction requests against this legislation but failed. The ordinance went into effect on October 1, 2008.

• Boston Bans Tobacco Sales on College Campuses
  Public health officials passed legislation that will prohibit tobacco sales on college campuses in the city of Boston. The legislation is scheduled to take effect in February, 2009.

• The Federal Government Needs to Improve...A Lot
  The U.S. government's report card is dismal and an embarrassment. The highest letter grade received was a D, for framework convention on tobacco control. Everything else graded, including FDA regulation of tobacco products, cessation coverage and cigarette tax, received an F grade.

Read the report and see how your state rates:

• State of Tobacco Control: 2008 -- The American Lung Association

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death on the planet today, accounting for nearly 5 million deaths worldwide annually.

If you're still smoking, About.com has the tools and resources to help you quit and stay that way. Don't waste another minute of your precious life on a habit that will kill you, given the chance.

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