ATLANTA — The American Lung Association’s annual report on the “State of Tobacco Control” said Georgia is among the lowest states when it comes to preventing death or illnesses related to smoking.
In their report, Georgia received “F” grades on all measures.
The ALA tracks each state in the country based on five categories. Here were Georgia’s grades, by section:
- Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
- Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade F
- Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
- Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade F
- Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
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Out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Georgia is one of just four states to score an “F” in all categories. The other three are Alabama, Missouri and Texas.
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Georgia and across the country, claiming the lives of 11,690 state residents each year,” the Association said. “12% of adults in Georgia currently use cigarettes, and 19.3% of adults use tobacco products, which includes e-cigarettes. Additionally, 18.8% of high school students use tobacco products, potentially setting kids up for a lifetime of nicotine addiction.”
ALA said studies show every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces their use by 4% among adults and 7% among youths.
Additionally, the ALA said Georgia lawmakers should increase taxes on cigarettes by $1.50 and make tax on other tobacco products equal the cigarette tax in a push to reduce tobacco use, particularly among Georgia youths.
“The tobacco industry has deployed increasingly aggressive tactics to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” Danna Thompson, director of advocacy at the Lung Association in Georgia, said in a statement. “Here in Georgia, tobacco industry lobbyists are working to stop or weaken proven tobacco control policies. The tobacco industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers.”
The organization is also urging more federal action from U.S. Congress to remove all illegal e-cigarettes that have been introduced to the market by the tobacco industry and are requesting extra funding to the Food and Drug Administration to make enforcement possible.
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