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The American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control Report report 2006 shows that California is receiving failing grades.  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—smoke-free air, tobacco program funding, cigarette excise taxes and youth access to tobacco.  California earned grades of “D” in cigarette excise tax, "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "A" in smoke-free air, and earned a "B" grade for our youth access to tobacco.

California’s tobacco program funding falls far short of the minimum recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The CDC has recommended a blueprint to saves lives, but California lacks the necessary investment in these programs.  And the state's tobacco tax at $.87/pack is now well the national average of $1.00/pack, ranking it 26th nationally.  And while current funding keeps going down, the cigarette companies are investing more to hook children and maintain their current base of smokers.

Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and your legislators and urge them to increase the state tobacco tax and to invest these funds in programs to reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco.