No More Tobacco

Federal and State Government Implementing Anti-Tobacco Policies…MSN reported on January 10 that federal and state governments are forging ahead with tougher anti-tobacco policies, from increased cigarette taxes to smoking bans in public spaces, according to a major report released today by the American Lung Association. The report, State of Tobacco Control 2007—which assigns each state four letter grades—explains that overall state spending on prevention is on the rise, and that half the states now have a deterrent cigarette tax of $1 or higher. The ALA also lauds Congress for taking action on several anti-smoking measures, and proudly notes that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi banned smoking in the U.S. Capitol building. Still, many challenges remain in efforts to curb smoking, according to the report, which the ALA issues annually to evaluate steps taken to control tobacco use through laws and policies. Several proposals around the nation have stalled or been vetoed and, from the anti-smoking organization’s perspective, far too few tax dollars are freed up for the fight. “Congress and the administration have not yet implemented policies that will stem the nation’s tobacco epidemic,” writes the ALA. And, of course, when states push anti-smoking legislation forward, Big Tobacco pushes back. State lawmakers often find themselves squeezed between the public’s health interests and the powerfully wealthy tobacco lobby. Here’s an interesting statistic for an election year: According to research quoted in the report, two tobacco companies alone were responsible for $90 million of the $96 million total received in state-level campaign contributions during 2005 and 2006. For the full story: click here.