Tennessee has failed to make progress toward protecting children from big tobacco's marketing tactics by neglecting to invest in programs and policies proven to reduce tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association's "State of Tobacco Control 2013" report.
In the report released today, Tennessee received the following grades for 2012: Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding: F, Cigarette Tax: F, Smokefree Air: C and Cessation Coverage: D.
The American Lung Association's "State of Tobacco Control" report tracks progress on key tobacco control policies at the federal and state level, assigning grades based on whether laws are adequately protecting citizens from the enormous toll tobacco use takes on lives and the economy. The 11th annual report shows how money is often at the root of the leading cause of preventable death, as state and federal policymakers are failing to battle a deep-pocketed, ever-evolving tobacco industry.
"Tennessee has the unfortunate distinction of failing to make progress in the fight against tobacco use in 2012, meanwhile big tobacco was busy honing clever new tactics to lure new youth smokers," said Ellen Kershaw, Advocacy Director, American Lung Association in Tennessee. Tobacco causes an estimated 9,709 deaths in Tennessee annually, and costs the state's economy $5,135,105,000 in healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Although Tennessee receives $581 million in tobacco-related revenue annually, it only invests 3 percent of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends should be spent on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
For more information on the report, go to "FOX LINKS" on the left side of the page at fox17.com.Tenn. Receives Failing Grades from American Lung Association