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The second annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2003 report has been released.  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas--smokefree air, tobacco program funding, cigarette excise taxes and youth access to tobacco products.  The State of Missouri received mostly failing grades for its efforts to fight the harmful effects of tobacco use, demonstrating little progress since a similar report was issued last year.  Missouri scored grades of "F" in smokefree air, "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, and "F in cigarette excise taxation.  In a bright spot, the state earned a "B" grade for its work to limit youth access to tobacco products.  This report should be a wake-up call to the legislature and our governor about the status of tobacco control in Missouri.

Currently, Missouri has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation, particularly among children.  Nearly 34 percent of our middle school students and 62 percent of our high school students indicate they have smoked cigarettes in their lifetime.  If current trends continue, nearly 140,000 of those youth will die unnecessarily from smoking-related deaths.  We can change these devastating health consequences through political will and leadership.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the State of Missouri spend a minimum of 32.77 million to establish state-wide, comprehensive tobacco control programs that will prevent the intiation of tobacco use among young people, promote quitting among young people and adults and eliminate non-smokers exposure to secondhand smoke.  In 2003, the State of Missouri dedicated only $1.166 million to tobacco prevention and cessation programs, none of this money was from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA).  The MSA is the lawsuit Missouri settled (along with 45 other states) in 1998 against the major tobacco companies to help recover tobacco-related heath care costs.  This settlement provides Missouri an opportunity to address the devastating health problems posed by tobacco use on the public health.

Our state must make tobacco control a priority.  Please take this opportunity to send the attached letter to your elected official in support of legislation that will save lives.