Report: Kentucky Flunks Tobacco Prevention

Source from:  bizjournals.com 01/11/2006

Ohio and Kentucky have received poor grades from the American Lung Association for their tobacco-prevention efforts. Ohio got a C for tobacco prevention and control spending, and F for smoke-free air, a C for cigarette taxes and an F for youth access to tobacco products. Kentucky received all Fs, indicating inadequate state laws. The grades are part of the association's fourth annual State of Tobacco Control report released today. One area of success for both states was increasing the sales tax on cigarettes last year, according to the organization. Ohio raised its tax from 55 cents per pack to $1.25 per pack. Kentucky increased its tax from 3 cents per pack to 30 cents per pack. The report kicks off the association's Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge, which calls on policymakers nationwide to tighten smokefree air laws and institute measures to guard against secondhand smoke in public places and workplaces. Twelve states raised their cigarette taxes in 2005, increasing the average state cigarette tax to 92 cents per pack from a previous 84 cents. The report gave F grades to 36 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for inadequate program funding. Enditem