American Lung Association: Wisconsin Report Card for 2009

Yesterday we discussed the federal report card. Today let's see how Wisconsin measured up in terms of the four main areas that the American Lung Association measures a state's success in tobacco control.

1. Wisconsin received an "F" in tobacco prevention and control funding. The program saw a 55% decrease in funding. The cut in funding was devastating enough, but the cut on the heels of $.75 cigarette tax increase hasWisconsin coming in with the lowest possible grade. 
2. Wisconsin received an "I" for smoke-free air because we have not implemented our law yet. After July 5th, 2010 we should see a pretty impressive score in this area. 
3. Wisconsin received a "B" in the cigarette tax category. Wisconsin has the 5th highest cigarette tax in the nation, so we got a thumbs up for that! 
4. Wisconsin received a "B" in the cessation coverage category. While we cover many medications on through the Medicaid program, we have minimal coverage of co-pays which brings us down. We do have good coverage on the state employee health plan as well. The thing that really brings our score down in the lack of an insurance mandate for cessation coverage for private insurers. While many private insures cover cessation a mandate would bring our grade up! 

American Lung Association: Federal Report Card for 2009

Today the American Lung Association released it "State of Tobacco Control" for 2009.
The rankings for at the federal level were interesting and will be outlined below:

1. By passing the FDA regulation of tobacco the federal government receives an "A." This is a landmark piece of legislation that will have real impact on youth and adult smoking rates but also what the public knows about tobacco products. 
2. By not ratifying the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) the federal government received a "D." This is an important public health treaty, the first of its kind, that would end Big Tobacco's interference within the creation of  public health policy. While the FCTC has been signed it was not submitted to the Senate for ratification. 
3. Despite increasing the federal cigarette tax from $.39 to $1.01, they receive a "D." They also receive a "thumps-up" for this effort. 
4. Finally, for tobacco prevention and control spending the federal government received an "F." There is minimal spending for a national quit line, no spending for national media coverage, minimal coverage of cessation services, and no smoker's health fund. 

Despite great efforts on the federal level to make progress on the leading cause of preventable death, the grades are still pretty poor. Check back here for details on how Wisconsin is progressing in this fight againt Big Tobacco.