Ohio earned failing grades in a new national report released Thursday that grades each state’s efforts to curb tobacco use.
The American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control 2012 gives Ohio “Fs” for its tobacco prevention and control spending and tobacco-cessation coverage. The state also fared poorly in the cigarette tax category, earning a “D.”
The state did earn top honors, however, for its efforts to go smoke-free.
In its report, the American Lung Association pointed out the state reduced funding for its Quitline last year so only pregnant women, uninsured residents and people who have the service covered by Medicaid or a private insurance program can participate, according to the American Lung Association report.
“The enormity of the challenge facing us requires combined resources at both the state and federal levels,” Shelly Kiser, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association’s Ohio chapter, said in a news release. “Failure isn’t an option because our end goal is removing tobacco’s chokehold on Ohioans’ health and that’s the life-and-death matter.”
— CHERYL POWELL
