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The American Lung Association's 2007 State of Tobacco Control report has been released!  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—smokefree air, tobacco control program funding, cigarette  taxes and youth access to tobacco.  Once gain, Kentucky has scored poorly in all areas and has earned an F in cigarette excise tax.

This report is a wake-up call to the legislature and our governor about the true status of tobacco control in Kentucky.  Our 30 cent-per-pack cigarette tax is extremely low – the national average is now $1.11 per pack -- and the number of our youth who smoke is too high. Studies show that when the price of cigarettes goes up, youth smoking goes down. In fact, for every 10 percent increase in price, youth consumption will drop by about 7 percent. 

In 2007, the Institute of Medicine and the President’s Cancer Panel both issued independent reports affirming that efforts to increase tobacco taxes are a proven way to lower smoking rates.

Please take a moment to sign our on-line petition calling for a 75 cent increase in Kentucky’s tobacco excise tax.  A 75-cent increase would generate $307.6 million in desperately needed new revenue a year.