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The annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2005 report was recently 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.  Ohio scored grades of  "F" in smokefree air, "C" in tobacco prevention and control spending, and "F" in youth access to tobacco. Additionally, Ohio earned a "C" grade for its cigarette excise tax, despite a 70-cent increase in 2005.

This report is a wake-up call to the legislature and our governor about the status of tobacco control in Ohio.  The time is now to pass a smokefree law that will save lives. 

SmokeFreeOhio, a campaign to create smokefree public places and workplaces in Ohio, turned in more than 165,000 valid signatures of Ohio voters to the Secretary of State's office on November 17, 2005.  Signatures were collected from all 88 Ohio counties, making a bold statement that Ohioans clearly support smokefree air. 

At the beginning of the legislative session in 2006, the SmokeFreeOhio law was presented to the state legislature.  Since the American Lung Association of Ohio and SmokeFreeOhio strongly believe that everyone deserves to breathe clean indoor air, we ask the legislature NOT to act on the law, but rather to let it go to the voters.  That way, voters can pass the SmokeFreeOhio language that protects everyone's health.

You can help by taking a moment to send a letter to your representatives requesting that they not act on the SmokeFreeOhio law, allowing it to go to Ohio voters.  Thank you for helping advance the mission of the American Lung Association of Ohio.