By james art 
Charleston, SC (WCSC) – A study by the American Lung Association shows that South Carolina tobacco control is bad and has a sharp need for improvements.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death and diseases in South Carolina and throughout the country.
More than 7,000 people in the state die from the use of tobacco every year in South Carolina, according to the American Lung Association. The current use of cigarettes is just over 12% among adults. Nearly 20% use tobacco products, including e -cigarettes.
The 23th Annual Tobacco Control Report “gives ratings” A “through” F “on current tobacco control policies. The categories include the prevention of tobacco and financing for control, smoking air, tobacco taxes, access to medical services for quitting smoking and termination of the sale of flavored tobacco products.
South Carolina received the following classes:
- Financing the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program: F
- Air without smoke: f
- Tobacco Taxes: F
- Access to termination services: B
- Flavored tobacco products: F
The State Director Dana Thompson of the American Lung Association says they are not only watching cigarettes, but also other tobacco products such as e -cigarettes or vapes. Thompson says controlling these products is crucial to youth smokers.
“We see illegal shelves products,” says Thompson. “We see aggressive tactics from the tobacco industry to make youths of these products addict, and this report really emphasizes what the state can do to fight it.”
The leaders of the Association want changes to the efforts of policy, such as adopting smoke -free regulations to protect workers and patrons and strengthen the laws of retail tobacco license. Action call also requires an increase of $ 1 per tobacco package.
The state of Palmo is ranked in the first five countries with the largest tobacco taxes, which are at 57 cents per package of 20.
“Higher taxes are reducing young people from access to product and addiction,” says Thompson. “It also reduces the amount of adults using tobacco and we have shown it over the years.”
The country is currently funding $ 6 million to finance the control program. Thompson says the association seeks to increase the $ 5 million funds as they focus on changes in politics in the coming months. The additional funding proposed is still under the CDC recommendation of $ 51 million for efforts.
Report information is available in Website of the American Association of LungsS
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