Georgia Fails Most Categories in American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control Annual Report Card
Low Tobacco Tax Causes State to Rank among Worst in Nation
Atlanta, GA (January 12, 2010)—
Georgia failed almost all categories in the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2009 report, released today. The dismal grades are attributed to a failure to increase Georgia's cigarette tax, the fifth lowest in the country; adequately fund tobacco use prevention programs; and provide coverage for quit smoking treatments and services for state workers and Medicaid recipients. Georgia is among only four states that do nothing to help their Medicaid population quit smoking and is among the six states that fail to offer smoking cessation benefits for their employees.
State of Tobacco Control 2009 grades state and federal policies that are proven to reduce tobacco-related disease. Grades are calculated by comparing policies against standards that are based on the most current, recognized scientific criteria for effective tobacco control measures. The complete report, including federal and state grades, is available at www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org.
"At $0.37, Georgia's tax is well below the national average of $1.34." said June Deen, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Georgia. "The increase, coupled with funding to prevent kids from starting to smoke and helping smokers to quit, is a winning combination for our state. Florida passed a $1 increase in 2009, and is already seeing the benefits of decreased packs sold and increased state revenue."
Increasing the cigarette tax is considered the most effective way to help adult smokers quit and deter youth from starting. For every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes, overall cigarette consumption is reduced by approximately three to five percent and the number of kids who smoke is reduced by six or seven percent. Additionally, a cigarette excise tax has the potential to generate much needed revenue for our state during these difficult economic times.
Tobacco-related illness remains the number-one preventable cause of death in the U.S. and claims more than 10,000 Georgians lives every year. Georgia's economic costs due to smoking are a staggering $5.681 billion. Almost 50,000 Americans' deaths are due to secondhand smoke exposure; the U.S. Surgeon General has declared that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
"It is alarming that Georgia continues to fall behind other states in public policy to reduce tobacco use. It must become a priority to address the leading preventable cause of death," said Deen. "State House Bill 39, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens, would raise Georgia's cigarette tax by $1 per pack. The American Lung Association urges passage of the legislation to reduce smoking and bring in much needed revenues for our state."
The federal government made major strides in enacting critical policy measures to protect people from deadly tobacco products. Last year, the federal government enacted legislation for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of the tobacco industry, more than doubled the cigarette excise tax and advanced health care reform legislation toward expanded cessation coverage. It still received "D" grades, however, for the current level of its cigarette tax – which is still 33 cents less than the average state cigarette tax.
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About the American Lung Association in Georgia Now in its second century, the American Lung Association in Georgia is the leading organization in the state working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association in Georgia, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungGA.org.
