Washington’s tobacco control policies earned mixed grades, with low marks for tobacco prevention and control spending and high marks for smokefree air in the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control 2009 report released today. 

State of Tobacco Control 2009 grades states and the District of Columbia on smokefree air laws; cigarette tax rates; tobacco prevention and control program funding; and coverage of cessation treatments and services, designed to help smokers quite.  The annual report card is a vital measure of Washington’s progress in combating death and disease caused by tobacco use.  In this battle, the stakes are extremely high.

“Just as our state was realizing our biggest successes in tobacco prevention efforts, our future gains are threatened with budget cuts and lack of sustainable program funding for future generations,” said Astrid Berg, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Washington.

During the 2009 legislative session, Washington’s program was cut 43%.  Additionally, the small portion of the cigarette tax that provided direct funds to the tobacco prevention fund was diverted to the general fund.  “We do not have dedicated program funding beyond 2011,” Berg said.

The Lung Association is working with other health organizations to support legislation to increase the cigarette tax with a small portion of the tax going to fund future tobacco program efforts. 

“This legislation will protect the health of Washingtonians and prevent youth from starting to use tobacco,” said Berg.  “Washington has the equivalent of a vaccine that protects youth from tobacco addiction.  Like other vaccines, it must be given to every generation of children.  Each year, we have a completely new group of 12-year-olds that need to hear the message. 

The proposed legislation, House Bill 2493, will raise the tax on all tobacco products and dedicate the new revenue to life-saving prevention efforts and help fill the state’s budget deficit. 

Tobacco companies spend $146.0 million advertising to Washington residents.  Nationally, Big Tobacco spends $20 to market tobacco products for every $1 states spend to fight tobacco use. 

“Studies have shown that kids are twice as sensitive to tobacco advertising as adults,” said Berg. “Studies also show that the cost of tobacco is an effective deterrent. That’s why HB 2493 is critical to protecting kids.”

Washington’s tobacco prevention and control program was originally funded with dollars from the Master Settlement Agreement, in which tobacco companies reimbursed states for tobacco-related medical costs.  The successes have been many:

• Adult smoking rates have dropped more than 30 percent (2008 rate was 15.3%).
• Washington now has the sixth lowest adult smoking rate in the nation; prior to the program beginning, we ranked 20^th.
• Overall youth smoking has declined by 50 percent.

Well-funded tobacco programs are successful in reducing smoking, saving lives, and saving money by reducing health care costs.  Few government programs deliver such clear evidence that they work and are a good investment.  But those programs are at risk as their funding is threatened.