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Idaho rates an F on tobacco control report

While Idaho flunked the report, Washington state received a B. Not that all Washingtonians support the state's anti-smoking efforts. Matt Gibeau, left, Majik Allison, center; and Rebecca Wilmoth meditate as they protest the state's smoking ban in all public places. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
By Kevin Graman kevingr@spokesman.com
While Idaho flunked the report, Washington state received a B. Not that all Washingtonians support the state's anti-smoking efforts. Matt Gibeau, left, Majik Allison, center; and Rebecca Wilmoth meditate as they protest the state's smoking ban in all public places. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Despite having the third-lowest smoking rate in the country, Idaho was one of 36 states given an F on its smoking report card.

And even with the toughest smoke-free workplace law in the country and one of the highest cigarette taxes, Washington state rated only a B in the American Lung Association’s annual report on the state of tobacco control in the United States.

The American Lung Association looked at how much each state spends on anti-smoking campaigns, public smoking laws, cigarette taxes and youth access to tobacco.

Only six states, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Mississippi and Wyoming, rated an A. Washington was one of just four states given a B.

Here’s how Idaho and Washington scored in each of the four categories:

Idaho

Tobacco prevention and control spending: F. The state budgeted $1.9 million in fiscal 2006.

Smoke-free air: B. Smoking is allowed in bars.

Cigarette tax: D. The state’s tax of 57 cents per pack is 33rd in the nation.

Youth access: B. The state does not require a photo ID to purchase tobacco.

Idaho’s adult smoking rate of 17.4 percent is lower than Washington’s rate of 19.2 percent.

But the American Lung Association marked Idaho down for cutting its prevention spending.

“We didn’t get as much appropriated for the fiscal year as we did in the past,” said Tom Shanahan, spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

As a result, he said, the state has not been able to buy anti-smoking ads in the mass media, and that might slow the steady progress Idaho made in cessation rates.

“We will request for that funding this year,” Shanahan said.

Washington

Tobacco prevention and control spending: B. The state budgeted nearly $29 million in fiscal 2006.

Smoke-free air: A. The state recently passed Initiative 901, banning smoking in workplaces and within 25 feet of doors and windows.

Cigarette tax: A. Only Rhode Island and New Jersey have higher rates than Washington’s 202.5 cents a pack.

Youth access: C. Purchase of cigarettes is possible without the intervention of a sales clerk.

The state allows sales of single cigarettes, and not all tobacco products are behind a counter, said Terry Reid, director of Washington’s tobacco prevention and control program.

“By and large we are among the leaders in tobacco policy,” Reid said, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some work to do.”