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CDC: U.S. Smoking Rates Steady, But Smoke-free Laws Effective 

"These findings show the tremendous effect that state and local smoke-free laws, higher tobacco excise taxes and fully funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs have had on our communities," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "By passing these important laws, we have helped more Americans quit smoking, prevented children from ever starting, and diminished the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in workplaces."

ACS and ACS CAN have been working tirelessly in support of smoke-free laws and efforts to raise state and federal excise taxes on tobacco.

"Despite major progress in recent years to enact strong tobacco control measures at the state and local levels, only 40 percent of the population is covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws," said Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN. "Clearly, there is still much more work that needs to be done."

There are high hopes for "The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act," signed into law by President Obama

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