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The third annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2004 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.  Tennessee scored grades of  "F" in smokefree air, "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, and "F" for its cigarette excise tax.  In a bright spot, the state earned a "B" grade for youth access to tobacco.

This report should be a wake-up call to our legislature and governor about the status of tobacco control in Tennessee.   Because the tobacco industry successfully passed super-preemption legislation in Tennessee in 1994, local smokefree air laws to protect citizens and patrons from secondhand smoke are illegal and do not exist.  Local governing bodies cannot raise their city or county tobacco excise taxes, which is a proven deterent to youth access to tobacco products and smoking.  The only way to break Big Tobacco's control over the health of all Tennesseans is for those we elect to represent us in the state legislative body to cut their ties to the tobacco industry and ACT NOW to repeal preemption. 

Legislation will be introduced in the coming session to restore local control over tobacco to protect Tennesseans from the multiple health hazards of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.  Please take a moment to write a letter to your state senator, representative and Governor Bredesen in support of legislation to repeal preemption in Tennessee.