Thursday, January 19, 2012

 American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2012 report highlights troublesome tobacco issues in Illinois

CHICAGO, IL (January 19, 2012) – The 10th iteration of the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2012 report gives Illinois a "D" for their $.98 per pack cigarette tax. Ranking 32nd in the nation, Illinois' tax is one of the lowest and least effective in the country.

"Illinois is missing out on a valuable opportunity to help smokers quit, discourage kids from ever starting, and raise millions of dollars in new state funds," explains Harold Wimmer, President & CEO of the American Lung Association in Illinois. "Cigarette taxes have overwhelming public support and I have no doubt that we could pass a stronger law in Illinois."

It is estimated that raising Illinois' cigarette tax by $1 would encourage nearly 60,000 adult smokers to quit and prevent an additional 75,000 kids from ever starting. The new tax could bring in more than $375 million to help chip away at the $8 billion smoking causes the state in health care expenditures and lost productivity every year.

"For every dollar we spend on helping smokers quit we see a $1.29 return," continues Wimmer. "The American Lung Association in Illinois would like to see a strong cigarette tax pass in the next legislative session to save lives and protect our children from the devastating effects of tobacco use."

Smoking rates in Illinois have fluctuated over the years with a noticeable decline after the implementation of the statewide smoking ban. The report estimates that smoking rates in Illinois are at 16.9% for adults with an alarming 18.4% rate for high school students. Each year, tobacco causes an estimated 16,600 deaths in Illinois alone.

Illinois' remaining grades were an "A" for smokefree air, "F" for tobacco control and prevention funding and an "F" for cessation coverage.

State of Tobacco Control Report

In its tenth annual State of Tobacco Control report, the Lung Association graded all 50 states and the District of Columbia on four proven policies to save lives and cut healthcare costs. Overall, six states received all "F's." They were Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Only four states, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine and Oklahoma, received all passing grades. No state received straight "A's."

Many states regressed in 2011. No state passed a strong smokefree air law, and Nevada weakened its existing law. Washington virtually eliminated a tobacco prevention and quit-smoking program that was previously a national model. For the first year in recent memory, no state increased its tobacco tax significantly, and 13 states and the District of Columbia significantly cut or completely eliminated already meager funding of tobacco control and prevention programs.

To learn more about the State of Tobacco Control report visit www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org.

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About the American Lung Association in Illinois

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a Charity Navigator Four Star Charity and holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungil.org.

Katie Lorenz

American Lung Association in Greater Chicago

Chicago, IL

312-445-2513

First Url: State of Tobacco Control 2012 Report

Second Url: Contact your legislators today and ask them to support a $1 per pack cigarette tax increase!