Healthy States - Smoking & Health

Smoking & Health

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Smoking & Health

Cigarette smoking is responsible for an estimated 438,000 deaths a year, making it still the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. An additional 8.6 million Americans suffer from smoking-caused illnesses that result in $167 billion in annual costs due to lost productivity and medical expenditures. Seventy percent of adult smokers report they want to quit completely, and more than 42 percent try to quit each year. Statewide comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs have proved effective in reducing smoking levels. The CDC recommends minimum amounts each state should spend on these programs to have an impact. But the states spend only about 3 percent of the $21.7 billion available to them from tobacco excise taxes and tobacco industry legal settlements on tobacco prevention and control. And recent declines in state funding for these programs appear to have contributed to a slowed reduction in smoking rates among both kids and adults. Still, many states are adopting policies to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, make cessation products and services more available and affordable, and eliminate disparities in tobacco use among different age groups. During tight budget times, many states are also raising money for tobacco prevention by increasing cigarette taxes and committing tobacco settlement funds, which are due to increase in 2008.
	State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues
	This report by the American Lung Association demonstrates shifting attitudes about smoking and health across the nation. The report examines recent state legislation regarding smoking restrictions, taxes on tobacco, funding for smoking prevention programs and updated fire safety standards for cigarettes. There are also analyses of other new reports that support tobacco control and provide innovative solutions to further reduce tobacco use.
	CDC: Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs - 2007
	The CDC has recently revised guidance to states on implementing comprehensive tobacco control programs that was originally issued in 1999. The new recommendations reflect additional state experiences, new scientific literature, an evaluation of how 10 states implemented and modified the original guidance, and technical consultation provided by a panel of experts. The CDC recommends states establish and sustain tobacco control programs that contain state and community interventions, health communication interventions, cessation interventions, surveillance and evaluation, and administration and management. The complete report can be found here.
	Resources
	Community Health Resources Learn more about reducing smoking & tobacco use initiatives in CDC's Community Health Resources, including fact sheets, state and local program contacts, communication materials and state data. Toolkit for Implementing Smoke-Free Laws This Web site offers resources for states and communities contemplating new or expanded smoke-free laws. There are step-by-step implementation timelines, customizable media and business outreach materials, sample advertising to promote new laws, and other resources. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights created the site to help states and communities in their efforts to plan, implement and support smoke-free laws. New Funding to Discourage Smoking Cigarette smoking is responsible for an estimated 438,000 deaths per year in the United States, or about one in five deaths overall. An additional 8.6 million Americans suffer from smoking-caused illnesses that result in $167 billion in health care bills and lost productivity each year. This issue brief provides state policymakers with information about two potential sources of funding for statewide tobacco control programs. Comprehensive Smoking Prevention Programs Legislator Policy Brief and Talking Points These publications examine actions state legislators can take to help prevent initiation of tobacco use and to promote cessation among young people and adults. They also provide state examples of tobacco control and prevention programs. Using Sound Science to Prevent Chronic Disease: State Policy Implications This TrendsAlert describes 20 key proven strategies to prevent chronic diseases and promote good health. It also explores factors -- such as insurance coverage and low health literacy -- that affect the use of proven interventions. It reveals how policymakers can prevent significant costs and illness by acting decisively to employ underutilized prevention strategies. No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Proven Anti-Smoking Strategies for States In this archived Web conference, learn from state legislators and other experts about the innovative strategies enabling some states to dramatically cut the number of smokers -- and reduce the burden of smoking-related chronic diseases. Read the issue brief to learn more about these strategies and how to make a difference in your state. A Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement Eight Years Later - A Report on the States' Allocation of the Tobacco Settlement Dollars This December 2006 report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that while states have modestly increased total funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, the vast majority are still failing to keep the promise of the tobacco settlement and falling far short of funding such programs at even minimum levels recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The states' failure to do more to prevent and reduce tobacco use is especially troubling in light of recent national surveys indicating that the remarkable progress the United States has made in reducing smoking has stalled among both youth and adults. Find out what level your state is funding tobacco prevention programs by using this interactive map. American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2006 This state-by-state report graded all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in four categories: smoke free air, tobacco taxes, prevention funding and restrictions on youth access to tobacco products. In the above report, find out if your state is adequately funding programs to prevent tobacco use.

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