Report Examines Tobacco Laws in U.S. StatesFebruary 12, 2001
Research Summary
A new American Lung Association report says more state tobacco laws were enacted last year than ever before."There were 113 new tobacco-related laws adopted by 43 states, spelling both good news and bad news for the public's health," said John R. Garrison, chief executive officer of the association. "Unfortunately, Big Tobacco continues to wield undue influence in statehouses around the country."
Most of the new laws enacted in 2000 focused on limiting youth access to tobacco products. Also, a total of 49 states and the District of Columbia in some way restricted smoking in public places, compared to 42 states with such restrictions in 1991. In addition, between 1991 and 2000, the average state cigarette excise tax nearly doubled, from an average of 24 cents per pack in 1991 to 42 cents per pack in 2000.
The report also looked at the legislative focus during 2000, in particular the number of states that spend their share of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement on tobacco-prevention programs.
"Of the 44 states that have decided how to spend their settlement dollars, only a handful have allocated even the minimum amount of funding recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for comprehensive tobacco use control and prevention," said Garrison. "As a result, tobacco companies are spending 10 times more to market their products than all 50 states combined are spending on tobacco prevention and cessation."
The 2000 State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues report, produced with support from the American Legacy Foundation, provides an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to state tobacco-control laws. The report has been published annually since 1988.
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