State of Tobacco Control 2013
TOBACCO REPORT CARD SHOWS MIXED GRADES FOR CALIFORNIA IN REDUCING TOBACCO USE
The State of Tobacco Control 2013 grades all fifty states and the federal government on four key tobacco control policies – tobacco control and prevention spending, smokefree air, cigarette tax, and cessation coverage. In conjunction with the national report, State of Tobacco Control 2013 – California Local Grades – issues grades for all 482 cities and 58 counties in California on policies for smokefree outdoor environments, smokefree housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products.
Once a national leader in tobacco control policies, California’s efforts are now lagging. The state has not increased its cigarette tax since 1999 and now ranks 33rd in the country at 87 cents per pack, compared to the U.S. average of $1.48 per pack. States including Texas, Oklahoma, and Montana now have higher tobacco taxes than California.
On the local front, many municipalities are making strides to protect their communities against tobacco, but despite progress at the local level, California joins many states in neglecting to implement proven strategies to save lives and reduce tobacco-caused disease. This year’s State of Tobacco Control report shows that money is often at the root of the leading cause of preventable death, as state policymakers fail to fight tobacco interests. Our new infographic looks at how Big Tobacco has spent billions to stack the chips against our kids, and made lavish campaign contributions to oppose proven tobacco control measures.
View the Press Release – Boletin de Prensa en espanol
View the nationwide American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2013 at www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org
Download the State of Tobacco Control 2013 – California Local Grades
- Executive Summary
- Grades by County
- Grades for Top Ten California Cities by Population
- Top of the Class
- Cities and Counties on the Rise
- California Tobacco Control by the Numbers
- Local Grading Methodology
View last year's State of Tobacco Control report here.
For media inquiries, contact:
Maria Bernabe, 310.735.9184, Maria.Bernabe@lung.org
English and Spanish-language spokespeople are available for interviews.
