Smoking is the leading preventable cuase of death in the United States. Studies show it results in an estimated 438,000 deaths and $92 billion in lost productivity each year.
In addition, for every person who dies, there are 20 more living with a smoking-related disease.
A new policy brief from The Healthy States Initiative, a partnership of The Council of State Governments, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, provides state policymakers with key background information about smoking and identifies proven and cost-effective prevention strategies for states.
Policymakers can find, among other information, things they can do to help prevent smoking, such as:
- Support legislation for evidence-based interventions such as cigarette tax increases, smokefree indoor air policies and funding for comprehensive tobacco control programs.
- Create or serve on a statewide tobacco control task force.
- Actively and publicly support efforts to prevent youth tobacco use and provide assistance to adults who want to quit.
- Increase the price of tobacco products, which evidence indicates is an effective deterrent to youth smoking.
- Target young people in smoking prevention efforts
- Support school-based programs in conjunction with community enforcement of youth tobacco sales restrictions or other interventions.
The policy brief also includes state policy examples and advice from state legislators.
Comments