State Fails to Keep Kids From Tobacco, Report Says

Source from:  By SHANTEE WOODARDS, Staff Writer January 14, 2008  01/15/2008

American Lung Association grades state's anti-smoking efforts Maryland needs to triple its funding for tobacco-prevention efforts and find more ways to restrict youth access to cigarettes, according to a new report card from the American Lung Association. The association released its 2007 State of Tobacco Control Report last week with criticisms that were similar to the state's rating last year. The organization ranks each state in four categories - tobacco prevention and control, smoke-free air, youth access and cigarette tax. Maryland received a failing grade in youth access and a D in tobacco prevention, but the state earned a B in both smoke-free air and cigarette tax. The state showed improvement in one category - the cigarette tax, which the state legislature doubled to $2 a pack during its most recent special session. This category was graded based on the new tax, even though it did not go into effect until Jan. 1. Officials said they expect to give the state an A in the smoke-free air category in 2007 with the implementation of the Clean Indoor Act. That law, which goes into effect Feb. 1, will restrict smoking in bars and restaurants. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that states spend $60 million on tobacco-prevention efforts. Maryland spent nearly $20 million in fiscal 2008, a figure that also includes federal funding from fiscal 2007. The state also needs better enforcement to prevent minors from getting tobacco products, said Claire Mullins, of the Maryland branch of the American Lung Association. "Our reaction (to the report) is mixed," said Ms. Mullins, vice president of communications. "We've made great leaps forward with tobacco and we hope with the legislative session elected officials recognize that there is still work to be done and make it a priority." The report was a review of state data from the past year. It noted that the Clean Indoor Act of 2007, which will restrict smoking in areas open to the public, goes into effect Feb. 1. However, that is not expected to be a factor until next year's report. Maryland was lauded for being one of eight states in the country to pass a cigarette tax within the past year. The state's $2 tax went into effect on Jan. 1. Maryland has the highest cigarette tax in a region that included Washington, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia. Delaware also increased its tax by to $1.15 a pack. Maryland and Delaware also have a law that requires cigarettes to self-extinguish when not being smoked, in order to prevent fires, the report stated. Officials from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health said they were pleased with the latest results. But they argued that the county is doing better than the rest of the state in the youth-access category. The department works with police, who provide random inspections on merchants to make sure they aren't selling tobacco products to minors, health officials said. "We're pleased to note what a difference a year makes," said Evelyn Stein, the county department of health information and promotion director. "I don't think the report this year, at least in Anne Arundel County, reflect the great work we and our partners are doing." Next year, the state will get even better grades, officials said. "What we would expect to see is a significant decrease in the number of adult smokers following the legislation that takes effect Feb. 1," Ms. Mullins said. "Maryland has an almost 20 percent smoking rate, so even if 1 or 2 percent drop off, there is still a lot to be done." Enditem