Jump to full article: Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution, 2010-02-04
Author: June Deen
Intro: The American Lung Association in Georgia plays an active role in working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research.
As the organization's director of advocacy, I must again announce the unacceptable grades Georgia received on our national association's signature report, the State of Tobacco Control. Georgia failed in almost all categories for tobacco policies proven to reduce smoking.
The dismal grades, F's, are attributed to a failure to increase Georgia's cigarette tax, adequately fund tobacco use prevention programs, and provide coverage for quit smoking treatments and services for state workers and Medicaid recipients. . . .
Georgia gets about $150 million annually from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
Yet, Georgia funds our state tobacco use prevention program at only 2.8 percent of the CDC's recommendation.
Georgia is among only four states that do nothing to help their Medicaid population quit smoking and is among the six states that fail to offer smoking cessation benefits for state employees. Helping smokers quit will save lives and money. . . .
The state and federal tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures in Georgia is about $550 per household -- whether or not a member of your family is a smoker. The potential $360 million generated by increasing the cigarette tax by $1 would go a long way toward alleviating some of those costs. Georgia should not be left out of this potential revenue generator.
It is time we find the best way to save lives and generate much-needed revenue for our state. Contact your legislators today and ask for their support in increasing the cigarette tax for Georgia.
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