Report Gives Calif. Low Grades for Tobacco Control Efforts
More than 60% of municipalities in California earned a failing grade for their local tobacco control policies, while just 18 cities in the state earned an "A," according to a report released Wednesday by the American Lung Association, the Orange County Register reports.
Details of Report
The report -- called "State of Tobacco Control 2014 – California Local Grades" -- issued grades for every city and county in California as part of a national report on tobacco trends.
The grades were based on city and county policies regulating where residents can smoke, as well as cities' success in curbing tobacco sales (Fisher, Orange County Register, 1/21).
California Findings
Overall, the report gave California grades of:
- "F" for tobacco prevention;
- "F" for tobacco cessation coverage;
- "D" for cigarette tax; and
- "A" for smoke-free air.
The report acknowledged statewide efforts to persuade California residents to stop smoking, but it criticized the state for not raising its cigarette tax from the current 87 cents per pack. ALA noted that California has not increased its cigarette tax since 1998, despite efforts by the state Senate.
In addition, the report criticized state lawmakers for failing to pass legislation that would have would have banned smoking in apartment buildings and condominiums throughout the state.
The report also noted that California spends just $1.88 per smoker on smoking cessation efforts, far less than CDC's recommendation of $10.53 per smoker (ALA report, 1/21).
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