Reports on Tobacco Policies and Lung Cancer Prevention in Montana Receive Subpar Letter Grades

425 people die in Montana each year from lung cancer that is attributed to smoking. The American Lung Association recently came out with a new report comparing states in how they fare when it comes to lung cancer. Regional Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association Carrie Nyssen, said the report looks at all tobacco policies:

"We take a look at how states are funding their tobacco prevention programs, how states are protecting people from exposure to secondhand smoke, at states that direct taxes, and we take a look at cessation coverage," Nyssen said. "Across the nation, we're finding that legislatures are woefully underfunding some things that we know prevent people from ever starting to use tobacco, or to help them quit tobacco."

But where does Montana stand among other states? Nyssen broke it down into letter grades.

"The cigarette tax in Montana gets a C grade," Nyssen said. "The reason why this is so important is that we know if we increase the price of a pack of cigarettes by 10 percent, we see a six and a half percent reduction in youth smoking, and a four percent reduction in overall smoking. It's a great tool that we have to help reduce smoking rates, which makes states healthier."

Nyssen says when it comes to tobacco prevention and control program funding, Montana received an F.

To find more information or to read Montana’s report card as well as other states, visit the State of Tobacco Control website.