Maryland fails at smoking prevention programs
The state of Maryland received a grade of "F" from the American Lung Association for its efforts at stopping smoking and other uses of tobacco products.
Maryland wasn't alone though.
The American Lung Association said most states "failed miserably" at passing laws that would protect citizens from the ailments that come with tobacco use.
Maryland continues to inadequately fund tobacco use prevention and cessation programs, the lung association's Maryland chapter found. In 2011, $4.3 million was allocated for the programs, compared to $19.6 million two years ago.
The association also noted failed legislation that would have redefined the definition of cigarettes to include what they called "little cigars." Little cigars are wrapped in paper and contain tobacco, but weigh less. The lung association believes they are more likely to be bought because they resemble cigarettes. A bill regarding little cigars passed in the Senate of the General Assembly, but failed in the House.
Maryland got an "A" for its efforts at creating smokefree air, a "C" for its cigarette tax and an "F" for its cessation programs.
(photo courtesy of AFP/Getty)
Comments
Any industry that annually kills 450,000 of it's BEST customers has to have a strong lobby to stay in business and continue killing people. No matter what the American Lung Association says or does, the Tobacco Lobby will fight it tooth and nails. I know something is better than nothing, but it's sad how the tobacco industry is allowed to stay in business.
Posted by: allanbstark | January 21, 2011 10:33 AM
According to the OAG, Maryland has received more than $1 billion in settlement money from tobacco companies since 2007 and will continue to cash a projected $4.4 billion in checks over the next 25 years, yet the state is barely funding prevention and cessation programs and has used an increased tax strategy to price smokers out of being able to smoke. There's no excuse for the state to be ranked as poorly as it is, and it's not the tobacco companies' faults that people are still smoking and dying since the states allowed themselves to be bought off in exchange for letting their citizens suffer the effects of smoking.
Posted by: brstevens | January 21, 2011 11:52 AM
People, it is not the government's job to protect you from your vices. If you don't want your kids to smoke, then sit them down and show them pictures of a smoker's lung. Don't rely on your government to spend your tax dollars to make an anti tobacco commericial that your kids will see on the idiot box.
Posted by: Will | January 21, 2011 12:41 PM
Smoking should be illegal. The government was established to protect the people and maintain the common good.
Posted by: Michelle Brown | January 21, 2011 8:33 PM
Cigarettes are chemical weapons. They sicken and kill innocent bystanders.
Posted by: J | February 11, 2011 11:46 AM