State's Anti-Smoking Report Card Improves
Posted on: Tuesday, 10 January 2006, 15:00 CST
By Patricia Guthrie, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan. 10--Georgia is no longer flunking on all fronts when it comes to smoking and public health.
On Monday, the American Lung Association gave the state a "B" for smoke-free air, because of a law passed last year that restricts smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places.
But Georgia still failed three other categories in the annual national report: cigarette taxes, access to cigarettes by youth and tobacco prevention and control programs. The state had previously failed in all categories.
"That is progress," said Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton), a physician who pushed through the legislation aimed at protecting Georgians from secondhand smoke. "Smokers even tell me they don't mind stepping outside, and some say it's helping them quit."
The Smoke Free Act, which took effect July 1, forbids smoking in public venues if people under age 18 are employed or served there.
Because the law allows business owners to choose between smokers and families, and it contains other exemptions, it's not considered strict enough by anti-smoking organizations such as the Lung Association.
The report also criticized Georgia for "virtually eviscerating" its tobacco prevention control program with $9 million in cuts last year. The reductions left the program without a full-time staff to lead anti-smoking efforts, the report says.
Although Georgia more than tripled its cigarette tax to 37-cents per pack two years ago, an even higher tax would encourage more people to quit smoking, said June Deen with the Lung Association's Southeast region.
"We know that raising tax on tobacco products affects both kids and adults," she said. The national average for state cigarette taxes is 92 cents a pack.
Despite three failing grades, Georgia received a gold star for being the first tobacco state to pass a public smoking ban.
Thomas said he was recently contacted by lawmakers in Tennessee wanting to push for a similar law.
"We think it may spread to other Southern states, and we'll be glad to help them," Thomas said Monday.
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Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution
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