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The fourth annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control report has been released for 2005.  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas – smokefree air, tobacco prevention and control funding, cigarette excise taxes and youth access to tobacco.  Once again, Tennessee scored grades of “F” in smokefree air, tobacco prevention and control spending, and cigarette excise taxes.  As in 2004, the state earned a “B” for youth access to tobacco.

This report should shock and shame our governor and legislature about the status of tobacco control in Tennessee and how badly we compare with other states in taking progressive measures to protect the health of its constituents.

The American Lung Association of TN, in collaboration with our partners in the Coalition for a Healthy and Responsible Tennessee (CHART), has an aggressive legislative agenda for the current session.  Our priorities are restoring local control of tobacco (repealing preemption), providing statewide clean indoor air and increasing tobacco excise taxes.  All three of these represent an enormous challenge as we have a governor in an election year and a legislature well known for its stubborn refusal to cut their ties to the tobacco industry and end Big Tobacco’s control over the health of Tennesseans.

Please take a moment to write a letter to your state representative, state senator and Governor Bredesen urging them to take a stand against tobacco and for the health of all Tennesseans, specifically with their support of restoring local control of tobacco, providing statewide clean indoor air and increasing the cigarette excise tax in line with the national average.  Ask those who you have elected to represent you to ACT NOW to break Big Tobacco’s control over the health of all Tennesseans – and tell them you’ll be watching!