According to the American Lung Association’s 22nd annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, released today, Alabama continues to lag behind the rest of the country in policy efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use. The state received all failing grades on this year’s report.
The findings underscore the need for Alabama policymakers to focus on proven tobacco control policies, such as strengthening state and local smokefree air laws as well as instituting a comprehensive tobacco retail licensing program.
The “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.
“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Alabama and across the country, claiming the lives of 8,650 state residents each year,” said Ashley Lyerly, senior director of advocacy, Alabama at the American Lung Association. “The tobacco industry will do anything to protect their profits at the expense of Alabama lives, so we must push forward in our efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use.”
Alabama’s Grades
The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. In the 2024 report, Alabama received the following grades:
Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade F
Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade F
Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
Florida and its Tobacco Free Florida has been much more successful. Read more.
