New Report: Significant Progress, Need to Pass a Comprehensive Smokefree Law

The American Lung Association’s 20th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, finds that Oklahoma earned had mixed progress on passing policies to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. 

The “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policymakers on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use, the nation’s leading cause of preventable death. The report also recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.

Here in Oklahoma, in the last 20 years, lawmakers have made significant strides to reduce tobacco use, like raising the cigarette tax in 2018 and protecting the unique Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), however, there is more work to be done. In Oklahoma, the adult smoking rate is still 19.1%, and the high school tobacco use rate is 30.8%. 

“While we have seen considerable progress, tobacco use remains our leading cause of preventable death and disease, taking an estimated 7,490 lives each year in Oklahoma,” said Charlie Gagen, Director of Advocacy at the Lung Association. “And our progress on tobacco control policy has not been equal. We continue to see the unequal burden of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke in communities experiencing health disparities.”

“State of Tobacco Control” 2022 grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. Oklahoma received the following grades: 

Oklahoma’s Grades
1.    Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade C
2.    Strength of Smokefree Air Laws – Grade D
3.    Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade D
4.    Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade A
5.    Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

This year’s report noted the need for Oklahoma policymakers to focus on ensuring all Oklahomans can work in smokefree environments and taking action to tackle the youth e-cigarette epidemic

“The U.S. Surgeon General has concluded there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,” said Gagen. “Ending local preemption and passing a comprehensive smokefree law that eliminates smoking in all public places and workplaces, including restaurants, bars and casinos, would protect workers across the state from deadly secondhand smoke. E-cigarettes should also be included in comprehensive smokefree laws.”

Similarly, one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, not only among low-income individuals but also for youth, is to significantly increase the tax on all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth. “Oklahoma not only has no excise tax on e-cigarettes, the most popular tobacco product used by kids, but does not even require those who sell these addictive products to be licensed by the state,” said Gagen.

Federal Grades Overview
Nationally, the report reveals significant progress in the work to end tobacco use, but products like e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, create concern for losing another generation to nicotine addiction.

“State of Tobacco Control” 2022 also grades the federal government in five areas: 
•    Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products (2022 grade – D)
•    Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments (2022 grade – D)
•    Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes (2022 grade – F)
•    Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use (2022 grade – A)
•    Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 (2022 grade – I*)

* The Incomplete grade is for the FDA being more than 18 months overdue in publishing the final Tobacco 21 regulations as required by statute.

“In 2022, Oklahoma needs to redouble their efforts to pass the proven policies called for in ‘State of Tobacco Control’ to help end tobacco use. We cannot afford to wait 20 more years and allow another generation to suffer from tobacco-caused addiction, disease and death,” said Gagen.