HomeMy WebLinkAboutAmer Lung Assoc of CA - Tabacco Control Report J�WA .iSrR M 101"{ i
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C, ,1N1 LUNG ASSOCIATION IN CALIFORNIA
LUNG 15311 STREET, SUITE 201, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
ASSOCIATION,,, WCE phone: 9161.554.5864 1 fax: 916.442.856M OF SUPERVIWIRS
LUNGFORCE.ORG JAN 16 2015
State of Tobacco ntr W Report to be Released January 1, 2WffILLE,CALIFORNIA
Report will include tobacco control grades for all 58 counties in California
Clear county Board of Supervisors:
We are pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 13th annual AmeNcan(Lung Association State of Tobacco Control report on
January 21,2015.This report assigns grades to the federal government and states based on their tobacco control laws and regulations in
effect as of January 2,2015 for Smokefree Air,Tobacco Taxes,Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding, and Access to Cessation
Services.
In conjunction with the national report,the American Lung Association in California will release tobacco control report cards for all 482
incorporated cities and towns and 58 counties in California. This year,the American Lung Association in California has developed a new
grading methodology to use for the annual report to better reflect the strong local policies passing throughout the state.Since this report
was first released six years ago,the same methodology has been used for grading local cities and counties.The new grading methodology
captures best practices as communities adopt stronger,more health-protective policies that will improve the wellbeing of California
residents.
In the new methodology,grades are assigned for the following policy categories:Smokefree Outdoor Air,Smokefree Housing,and
Reducing Sales of Tobacco Products.These three grades, plus an Emerging Issues bonus point section,are then averaged for one Overall
Tobacco Control Grade.The updated grading methodology for the State of Tobacco Control Report-California Local Grades may result in
jurisdictions receiving adjusted grades.
VWhHe we have made enormous progress in the fight against tobacco,it is still the number one cause of preventable death in the United
States. Since 1954,we have cut smoking rates by more than half,dramatically reduced exposure to secondhand smoke,reduced rates of
lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases and fundamentally changed public attitudes about tobacco resulting in millions of lives
saved. Despite this progress,tobacco remains a dangerous threat,killing almost 40,000 Californians each year,causing illness in even
more and costing the state nearly$22 billion in health care bills and lost productivity.The tobacco industry still designs and manipulates
its products to snake them as appealing and addictive as possible;spends$8.8 billion a year--one million dollars every hour--on
marketing that often attracts kids;and fights every effort to reduce tobacco use. More needs to be dome to decrease these numbers and
to stop the 21„300 children in California who start smoking each year from picking up this deadly and addictive habit.
Over the past 50 years,we have developed proven strategies that can achieve our public health goals if they are fully and effectively
implemented.These strategies are reflected in the grading categories in both the national and local SOTC reports,
We encourage you to visit the American Lung Association in California website www,l ung.ofgf California on January 21 to view the state
and local tobacco control report cards and learn how to take action in the fight against tobacco.Visit our About Us page at
ww .Iun .orgL"califorr�ia to contact your local American Lung Association office for more information on the impact smoking is taking on
your community and what can be done to combat it.
We hope you will join us in the fight to breathe easier.
Olivia J.Gertz Kimberly Arnazeen
President&Chief Executive Officer Vice President,Public Policy&Advocacy
Contact., Kimberly Arnazeen, Vice President of Public Policy&Advocacy(916)585-7670 or Kimberly.Amazeen@lung,org
Visit lung,orgfcatifornia ,i Like facebook.com/abcalifornia
” Watch youtube.com/Californiallun ;, Follow twitter,com/catifornialung
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