DETROIT – The American Lung Association released its 14th annual "State of Tobacco Control" report on Wednesday and Michigan received a failing grade.
According to the report, in 2015 Michigan failed to enact tobacco control policies that will save lives.
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The report also finds Michigan is not alone, as most states and the federal government, earned poor grades.
"Michigan is missing a clear opportunity to save lives by not taking action to prevent and reduce tobacco use. We must also face the reality that youth use of other tobacco products nationwide like e-cigarettes and little cigars is at an all-time high," said Shelly Kiser, Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Michigan.
"Nearly a quarter of high school students are using tobacco products, and it is crucial that Michigan take aggressive action to reduce all tobacco use – the #1 cause of preventable death and disease in our nation."
The "State of Tobacco Control" report evaluates tobacco control policies at the state and federal level and assigns grades based on whether laws protect citizens from the enormous toll tobacco use takes on lives.
According to the report, the grades breakdown this way:
Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding – Grade F
Tobacco Taxes - Grade F
Smokefree Air - Grade B
Access to Cessation Services - Grade F
The American Lung Association in Michigan calls on Michigan lawmakers to act on the following science-based tobacco policy priorities that will reduce tobacco use among Michigan residents:
Increase the cigarette tax by $1.50;
Increase the Other Tobacco Products Tax, which covers non-cigarette forms of tobacco like cigars, spit tobacco and hookah, to match the cigarette tax; and,
Increase funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs to $30 million.
The federal government earned an "F" for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Regulation of Tobacco Products, a "C" for Federal Cessation Coverage, an "F" for Tobacco Taxes and a "B" for its Mass Media Campaigns, a new grading area in this year's "State of Tobacco Control" report.