Tobacco.org

NELSON: Tennessee AWOL in war on tobacco 

This month, in its annual "State of Tobacco Control 2009" report, the American Lung Association hung a big "F" on Tennessee for tobacco prevention and control spending, with only $1.4 million spent last year. It gave the state another "F" for smoking-cessation coverage, noting the lack of cessation product coverage in the TennCare program. The Lung Association cited Tennessee as one of five states, along with Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia and Missouri, that do not provide complete cessation coverage in their state-run health programs for the poor and disabled.

Not only is smoking a critical health concern in Tennessee, it is a growing economic issue. Each year, the costs for smoking-related diseases are getting higher. . . .

It is time to address the prospect of covering smoking-cessation products and prescription medication in the TennCare program. Call your state legislators and let them know you support a smoking-cessation program in TennCare. Then contact Gov. Phil Bredesen's office and send the governor a message: Invest in smoking-cessation coverage in TennCare. It will not cost $680 million and -- as proven by the Massachusetts results -- getting people to quit smoking will save lives and save money on other health care costs.

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