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ALA gives 40 states failing grades for smoking education

By Staff Writer

Drug rehab centers may be able to help individuals suffering from nicotine addiction, but experts believe that taking preventative measures may keep people from smoking altogether. Although treatment for addiction and smoking-related illnesses has become more successful, the American Lung Association (ALA) says that many states are not doing enough to educate the public on cigarette dangers, according to USA Today.

A new report card released by the ALA found that almost 40 states received a failing grade for their efforts to keep people from smoking. ALA president Charles Connor told the news source that even though the attitude toward cigarettes is souring, tobacco companies are still aggressively marketing their products toward teenagers.

About 37 states received an F from the ALA because of their lack of resources for Medicaid patients and government workers who are attempting to quit. Approximately 40 states and the District of Columbia received failing grades for a lack of funding for anti-smoking campaigns.

Five states received A grades for issuing excise taxes on cigarettes.

Approximately 20 percent of adults in the U.S. were regular smokers in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Education may be able to keep kids from using cigarettes in the future. 

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