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Today, the American Lung Association released its fourth annual State of Tobacco Control Report. This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—cigarette excise taxes, tobacco program funding, smokefree air and youth access to tobacco in 2005.

The report gave Maryland the following grades:

• Tobacco Prevention and Control Spending, Grade: F 
• Smokefree Air, Grade: B
• Cigarette Taxes, Grade: C
• Youth Access to Tobacco Products, Grade: F

Although Maryland received a grade of “B” in smoke free air, it is important to note that the grades in this report reflect how Maryland laws measure up to others in the nation, and many states still have no restrictions on smoking in private workplaces, restaurants and bars, and even daycare centers.  The summary and full report can be seen on-line at www.marylandlung.org .  Maryland has some restrictions in place, which is the reason for the appearance of a good grade in the smokefree air category.  But Maryland has only three smokefree counties and legislation is needed to protect all Marylanders from the dangers of secondhand smoke.     

Starting tomorrow with the kickoff of the new General Assembly legislative session, policymakers will have the opportunity to make Maryland healthier by passing tougher tobacco control laws.  The American Lung Association has issued its Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge calling on state and local policymakers to strengthen smokefree air laws to protect all citizens from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Maryland has an opportunity to step up much sooner and be a leader in this challenge by passing the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006, a comprehensive statewide smokefree air law protecting the health of all Marylanders.

Early in the new legislative session the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006 will be introduced in the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Health & Government Operations.  It is imperative that this bill reach the full Senate for a vote this year.  Please take a moment to send an email to the members of those committees to show support for a Maryland free of tobacco smoke.  A sample letter is provided below.