American Lung Association (ALA) report grades Ohio poorly in tobacco prevention and control efforts

Ohio scored high for its smoking ban but earned the lowest grade possible for its anti-tobacco efforts in a report released Tuesday by the American Lung Association. The elimination of Ohio’s anti-tobacco initiatives in 2008 took the state’s “C” grade for tobacco prevention and control down to an “F.” Ohio received an “A” in the “Smokefree Air” category and a “C” for its cigarette taxes, which is $1.25 per pack. The state’s grades have declined because policymakers decided to eliminate the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation and transfer $230 million of its endowment into an economic stimulus plan. The move decreased the state’s anti-tobacco efforts to a nominal program within the Department of Health, although the fund transfer is on hold and remains under a court challenge launched by anti-smoking groups.

Snapshot of how Ohio fared in the report:
Smoke-free air laws 
Ohio's grade: A 
With a statewide ban on smoking in the workplace, Ohio joined 19 other states in earning a top grade. Fourteen states received an F.

Cigarette tax 
Ohio's grade: C 
With a tax rate per pack of $1.25, Ohio fell in the middle. 

Spending on tobacco prevention and control 
Ohio's grade: F 
With a fiscal 2009 budget of $7.6 million for tobacco control, Ohio fell far short of the $145 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Coverage to help people quit smoking 
Ohio's grade: F. 
Ohio was penalized for not covering counseling for Medicaid patients and requiring minimal co-payments for pharmaceutical products that help people quit. The state also requires co-payments for state employees and does not mandate that private insurance cover smoking cessation. To view the entire report go to: http://www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org/