Regional Analysis continued...
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Region 7: Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri |
Region 7: Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri
This region continues to struggle in terms of tobacco control policy. The states in the region have failed to provide significant funding toward tobacco prevention programs. At $0.49 per pack, this region has the second lowest average cigarette tax in the country. However, the tax rates do vary widely by state, with Kansas leading at $0.79 per pack and Missouri trailing at $0.17 per pack. Nebraska has stepped up its commitment to tobacco prevention by increasing funding to its program by $2.5 million per year.
There has been success at the local level in smokefree air policy. Lawrence, KS, home of the University of Kansas, led the way by going completely smokefree in May. Lincoln, NE, followed behind by passing a comprehensive smokefree air law prohibiting smoking in all workplaces. In addition, Nebraska closed a loophole in its state smokefree air law by prohibiting smoking in home child-care programs.
Region 7 average cigarette tax: $0.49.
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Lawrence, KS prohibited smoking in all workplaces.
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Nebraska increased its tobacco prevention program funding by $2.5 million a year.
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Kansas passed legislation regulating Internet sales of cigarettes.
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Lincoln, NE passed a smokefree air law prohibiting smoking in all workplaces.
Region 8: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado
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Region 8: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado |
After being frustrated at the state legislative level, states in this region have decided to take tobacco control policy issues directly to the voters. Colorado and Montana both had initiatives raising their cigarette tax on the November 2004 ballot. Colorado raised its cigarette tax to $0.84 per pack. Montana voters agreed to raise the cigarette tax to $1.70, making it the highest tax in the region. Utah continues to stand out in this region as the state with the strongest smokefree air law as well as the lowest tobacco use rate.
Region 8 average cigarette tax: $0.80.
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Montana voters agreed to dramatically increase the cigarette tax to $1.70 per pack, the highest in the region.
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Colorado voters agreed to raise the cigarette tax to $0.84 per pack.
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Colorado dramatically reduced its funding of tobacco prevention programs from 15 percent of the MSA funds to a paltry 5 percent.
Region 9: California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii
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Region 9: California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii |
The states of this region have long been in the forefront of tobacco control issues. The organized grassroots smokefree air movement began in California. As the first state to pass a comprehensive statewide smokefree air law, California remains a leader in innovative tobacco control and smokefree air policy. Arizona had one of the first nationally recognized tobacco prevention programs and Hawaii was the second state in the nation to go to a $1.00 cigarette excise tax.
Currently, California and Hawaii have the strongest smokefree air policies in the region, prohibiting smoking in most workplaces. For the second consecutive year, Hawaii was able to maintain at least 90 percent of the CDC Best Practices minimum guideline, earning an A for prevention control program funding. The Nevada legislature was not in session in 2004.
Region 9 average cigarette tax: $1.06.
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Hawaii raised its cigarette tax for the third year in row to $1.40 per pack, the highest tax in the region.
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Hawaii continued to fund tobacco prevention programs close to the minimum level recommended by the CDC.
Region 10: Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska
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Region 10: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska |
The Pacific Northwest region saw two big tobacco control legislative victories in 2004. Idaho passed the strongest smokefree air law in the region, prohibiting smoking in most workplaces. And in Alaska, the Legislature dramatically raised the cigarette tax to $1.60 per pack, the highest in the region.
Unfortunately, in Oregon the cigarette tax was decreased by $0.10 to $1.18 per pack, as a result of a cigarette tax increase that was enacted in 1993 and expired on January 1, 2004.
On the local level, Anchorage, AK increased its municipal cigarette tax by $1.00 to $1.30 per pack. This brings the combined state and local cigarette tax in Anchorage to $2.90 per pack.
Washington remains the only state in the region to fund its tobacco prevention program close to the level recommended by the CDC.
Region 10 average cigarette tax: $1.19.
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Idaho passed a smokefree air law prohibiting smoking in most workplaces.
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Alaska raised its cigarette tax to $1.60 per pack, the highest tax in the region.
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Anchorage, the biggest city in Alaska, raised its municipal cigarette tax by $1.00 to $1.30 per pack.
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Oregon decreased its cigarette tax by $0.10 to $1.18 per pack.
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