WV GETS 'F' FOR NOT CURBING TOBACCO USE

(01/21/2011)

West Virginia is flunking efforts to curb death and disease caused by tobacco use, says the American Lung Association. The state has received straight "F's" for tobacco prevention and control spending, cessation, taxes and smoking restrictions in the annual State of Tobacco Control report done by the national association. West Virginia is the worst state, or tied with another state, for tobacco use in the nation. The state is spending only about 26 percent of the amount recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for tobacco prevention and control. "Most of our states are failing miserably when it comes to combating tobacco-caused disease despite collecting millions of dollars, and in some cases, billions in tobacco settlement dollars and excise taxes," said Chuck Connor, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Most states are only investing pennies of those dollars to help smokers quit and keep kids from starting," he said. West Virginia uses most of the tobacco settlement money to help balance the state budget. About 26 percent of adults in West Virginia smoke, about 22 percent of West Virginia high school students smoke, as well as 11 percent of middle schoolers. Smoking also costs West Virginia about $1.72 billion per year in medical costs and productivity losses.

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