Kansas among states that received an A for smoke-free air laws. by kbritt
Kansas finally got an “A” on its report card from the American Lung Association.
It’s for passing the Indoor Clean Air Act on Feb. 25, 2010. The law prohibits smoking in all public places and places of employment, including bars and restaurants.
Kansas was the only state in 2010 to pass a comprehensive smoke-free law, and it was highlighted in the association’s ninth annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, which was released early today. It noted:
“This victory for public health was a long and winding road with many challenges along the way, but elected officials recognized the need to place public health above business concerns.”
Kansas joined 26 other states and the District of Columbia that have passed such laws. The “A” is a big improvement from last year’s “F” in the “smoke-free air” category. However, there are grumblings among legislators and talk of possibly overturning the law or part of it.
In three other categories regarding tobacco control policies and regulations, the state’s grades remained the same : Two “F”s and a “D.”
Kansas among states that received an F for tobacco prevention and control spending. by kbritt
Kansas received failing grades for:
• Lack of tobacco prevention and control spending.
The state spends only $3.5 million — or 2 percent — of the approximately $175 million it collects every year from tobacco settlement and tax money. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends spending $32 million.
• Limited coverage in cessation treatment programs for Medicaid recipients and state employees.
For Medicaid recipients, there are limits on the duration of coverage, an annual limit on quit attempts and co-payments required. It also noted that private insurance companies are not required to offer any coverage.
Kansas received a “D” for:
• Cigarette tax of 79 cents per pack.
The national average is $1.34 per pack. Only 15 states have a lower cigarette tax rate. The rates range from $4.35 in New York to 17 cents in Missouri. The last time Kansas raised its cigarette tax was in 2003 with a 9 cent increase.
Some Kansas facts provided by the association:
• Economic costs due to smoking: $1.7 billion annually.
• Adult smoking rate: 18 percent.
• High school smoking rate: 17 percent.
• Number of tobacco-related deaths: 3,800 annually.
Tagged: American Lung Association, cancer, smoking, tobacco policies
Comments
ophiuchus (anonymous) says…
No State Left Behind?
(Nice to see Kansas some other color than red, top frame.)
ralphralph (anonymous) says…
No Neck Left Unstepped-upon
seagull (anonymous) says…
And our enlightened legislature and governor want to overturn the law that gave us an A, protects everyone from second-hand smoke and reduces health care costs! Simply amazing. This legislature is so hypocritical. Prevent government interference in individual lives when it comes to smoking but not when it comes to a women's right to choose. Allow individuals to smoke in public and harm others, but take away a women's right to choose. With women's bodies and choices apparently it is okay, according to our Republican governor and legislature, for government to interfere all it wants. Even if you have policies that disagree with mine, at least our enlightened legislature and governor should be held accountable for being consistent with there purported principles.
Satirical (anonymous) says…
We should celebrate by having a party with a huge cake and lots of candles!
What? No candles!?!? This smoke free law stinks!
Satirical (anonymous) says…
"And our enlightened legislature and governor want to overturn the law that gave us an A" - seagull
I know, can you believe it!?! Our legislature should care way more about a grade from some interest group than about trying to give citizens more freedom.
"Allow individuals to smoke in public and harm others, but take away a women's right to choose." - seagull
Yeah, absolutely. Because liberals are totally consistent on this issue. Smoking has the potential to harm others while an abortion doesn't harm anything...except an unborn child (aka potential human,aka human,aka fetus, aka 3/5 a person, or whatever else you want to call something that can't protect itself).