WASHINGTON, D.C. June 16, 2016 Significantly fewer states passed tobacco control efforts between 2010-2014 than in the previous decade, according to an article released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's (CDC) Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). The article, entitled Stuck in Neutral: Stalled Progress in Statewide Comprehensive Smoke-Free Laws and Cigarette Excise Taxes United States, 2000-2014, is featured in this week 's issue of the journal, Preventing Chronic Disease.
The report found tremendous progress in state tobacco policies between 2000-2009 when 46 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) increased cigarette excise taxes; boosting the national average for state cigarette taxes by $0.92 per pack. However, during the next five years (2010-2014) only 14 states and D.C. increased their cigarette taxes resulting in an average increase of just $0.20 to the national average.
Additionally, between 2010-2014 only five states passed comprehensive statewide laws prohibiting smoking in all public workplaces, restaurants and bars; in comparison 21 states and D.C. passed laws between 2000-2009.
A statement from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network follows:
The CDC 's report demonstrates the need for state lawmakers to pass lifesaving legislation to reduce the burden of tobacco in their states. States that fail to significantly increase the price of tobacco products or pass comprehensive smoke-free laws are missing opportunities to prevent youth from starting to use tobacco and reduce exposure to the serious dangers of secondhand smoke.
The most effective way to tackle tobacco use and save lives is to pass strong tobacco control laws, including regular and significant increases in state taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, enacting comprehensive smoke-free laws, and fully funding state tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
Significant and regular increases to state cigarette excise taxes is proven to prevent kids from starting smoking and help current smokers quit. A meaningful tobacco tax increase of $1.00 per pack or more also generates state revenue and cuts health care costs. Small increases to the cigarette tax like the policies enacted in 2010-2014 likely generated new revenue, but did little to improve public health.
Additionally, comprehensive smoke-free laws that prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces, including restaurants and bars, are one of the most effective ways to protect all workers from the deadly toxins found in secondhand smoke. While progress passing statewide smoke-free laws stalled in recent years, California became the latest state to enact a comprehensive smoke-free law in May 2016. ACS CAN is committed to working in individual communities to help pass smoke-free policies at the local level.
Clearly the country has made significant progress reducing its tobacco burden, but more work remains. We urge all elected officials to take action and ensure the tobacco industry cannot continue to deceive the American people and addict our children to its deadly products. Youth and adult smoking rates are declining, but other products threaten to erode that progress, especially the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products.
ACS CAN will continue to work community by community and state by state to protect the public 's health against the dangers of tobacco.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jill Courtney or Alissa Crispino
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (202) 585-3278 or (202) 661-5772
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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