Embargoed until 10:00 pm HST, Monday, January 11, 2010
City Editors, News
Directors, Assignment Editors: The national American Lung Association annually
assesses each state’s progress in controlling the use of tobacco. This is one of the ALA’s major findings of
the year; we hope you will prepare a report for Tuesday release.
Hawaii’s Smoking
Grades Fall as Tobacco Funds Decrease According to ALA
Progress Made Over Past 10
Years in Jeopardy
The American Lung Association released its report card grades
on the states today, an annual assessment of how well tobacco prevention
programs are being implemented across the nation.
Hawaii received good grades in two of the four categories in
the report –Cigarette Tax (B) and Smoke-free Air (A). But the B Hawaii received in the 2008 report
for Tobacco Prevention and Control Spending fell to a D. Hawaii continues to receive a grade of F in
the category that assesses the overall effort to support smoking cessation
programs.
The annual
report card is a vital measure of Hawaii’s progress in combating death and
disease caused by tobacco use. In this battle, the stakes are extremely high. “Although
the report card gives grades for the adequacy of tobacco control programs, this
exercise isn’t academic,” said Jean Evans, Executive Director of the
American Lung Association in Hawaii (ALA Hawaii). “The
consequences of success or failure are life or death.”
Evans explained that Hawaii received its D because spending
for tobacco control and prevention fell dramatically in 2009 from 74% to 58% of
the amount recommended from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). The lower spending level is
partly due to the reduction made by the 2009 Hawaii Legislature in the amount
of master tobacco settlement agreement funds that go to the Tobacco Prevention
and Control Special Fund.
According to
Evans programs to create a healthy, smoke-free Hawaii are working. From 2000 to 2007, Hawaii’s teen smoking rate
dropped from 24.5% to 9.7% (2007 Hawai'i Youth Tobacco Survey.) The adult
smoking rate also dropped from 19.7% to 15.4% in 2008 (CDC’s Behavioral Risk
Factor Surveillance, 2008 Prevalence Data).
States that have cut tobacco programs have seen smoking rates jump back
up. “We know these programs work, save lives
and save money and they must continue” said Evans.
Hawaii received its F because it lost points in scoring on
how well Medicaid and State employee health insurance plans cover smoking
cessation programs. It is expected that
this grade will increase next year when comprehensive smoking cessation
programs will be included in all QUEST plans.
Hawaii was awarded an A grade for Smoke-free Air primarily
because of its laws that prohibit smoking in government and private worksites,
schools, child care facilities, restaurants and bars, retail stores and
recreation/cultural facilities. The B
grade for Cigarette Tax was granted because Hawaii has a $2.60 per pack tax on
cigarettes, which is the fifth highest tax in the nation. States with taxes of $2.68 and higher
received an A. Hawaii’s cigarette tax is
scheduled to increase to $2.80 in July 2010.
Evans noted Hawaii fares better than 49 states in deaths
attributable to smoking per 100,000 population (based on average annual
estimates for 2000-2004). That broad
category has three components – Smoking Attributable Respiratory Disease
Deaths, Smoking Attributable Lung Cancer Deaths and Smoking Attributable Deaths
(for all other smoking-related deaths).
“We all can be grateful for our relatively good standing
among the states in these categories, but Hawaii can do better,” Evans
said. “The annual grading provides a
reality check on how we can improve, and the American Lung Association in
Hawaii won’t be satisfied until the state makes straight A’s.”
Evans said ALA of Hawaii, the oldest voluntary health
organization in the state, relies heavily on public support to complete its
mission of saving lives by preventing lung disease and improving citizens’ lung
health. The group’s major fundraising
activity, the third annual Breathe Concert, will be held on Saturday, January 30,
2010 at the Hawaii Theatre and will feature Willie K, Melveen Leed and The Hotclub of
Hulaville in cool couture by 2COUTURE plus 150+ dancers,
singers, actors and 'celebrity' surprises will provide a spectacle of style,
flair, comedy, song and dance. Director Marian Jay Morrison, back in Hawaii
after 15 years with Walt Disney Entertainment, has designed the event as an
"exhilarating showcase of the senses". Have fun and join the Fight
for Air at the 2010 Breathe Concert. Tickets maybe
purchased at the Hawaii Theatre box office, by phone (528-0506) and online (HawaiiTheatre.com/boxoffice.html). The ALA Hawaii website has concert
information: www.ala-hawaii.org .
