A study by the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that
aggressive tobacco control campaigns are working in states such
as Oregon and California, while smoking rates are rising in
states with few controls, like Kentucky.
Complete report here --
transfers to CDC Web site
Figures show
California had the second-lowest adult smoking rate in 1997 at
18.4 percent, which the CDC attributes to the nation's oldest
anti-smoking initiative, which started in 1989. Utah, with its
large Mormon population, had the lowest adult smoking rate in
1997, at 13.7 percent.
Oregon's cigarette consumption rate
dropped by 11.3 percent since the state started a campaign
similar to California's in 1996. In Massachusetts, where
voters approved higher tobacco taxes and an aggressive media
campaign in 1992, consumption dropped 20 percent between 1992
and 1996.
"What we are saying is that from what we've found in
our own experience and in the shared experience, here is what
works," said CDC director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan. "And we're
saying here's the amount that will pay for it. It's the same
approach we take with immunization against disease."
According
to the study, which was presented at the National Conference on
Tobacco and Health in Kissimmee, FL, each state should spend
between $31 million and $83 million on health and anti-smoking
programs.
In states with little or no controls on tobacco, smoking rates
went up. Kentucky had both the highest adult and youth smoking
rates in the nation in 1997 at 30.8 percent and 47 percent,
respectively.
Amy Barkley, project manager for Kentucky Action,
attributes these statistics to the lack of state tobacco control
funding as well as its strong dependence on tobacco farming.
"It's deplorable that we have the highest youth smoking rate,
but understandable given our culture."
Source(s):
AP, (8/24/99) "CDC: Anti-Tobacco Campaigns Working", James Pilcher Associated Press Writer
[Full Text:
http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19990824/V000495-082499-idx.html]
New York Times, (8/25/99) "Few States Are Using Settlements in Tobacco Suit to Cut Smoking",
DAVID STOUT
[Full Text:
http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/bin/fastweb?getdoc+site+iib-site+142+
0+wAAA+smoking%7Eor%7Etobacco%7Eor%7Ecigarettes]
USA TODAY, (8/25/99) "Anti-Smoking Campaigns Help Some States Kick The Habit", James Pilcher,
p. A5
WASHINGTON POST, (8/25/99) "Anti-Smoking Efforts Make A Difference", p. A6
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