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The annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2006 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.  Georgia scored grades of  “F” in cigarette excise tax, "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "B" in smokefree air, and an "F" grade for its youth access to tobacco.

Our cigarette tax is extremely low and the prevalence of youth smoking is too high. Studies show that when the price of cigarettes goes up, youth smoking rates go down. In fact, for every 10 percent increase in price, youth smoking rates will drop by about 7 percent.

Revenues from cigarette excise taxes can fund tobacco prevention and education programs and other budget priorities. States that fund and implement strong comprehensive tobacco control programs have achieved significant reductions in tobacco use among both adults and youth. A reduction in tobacco use saves thousands of lives and produces enormous declines in state health care costs and other tobacco-related expenditures.

Please take a moment to send the attached letter to your state senator, representative, and Governor Perdue, and ask them to increase Georgia's cigarette tax in the 2007 session of the Georgia Legislature.