Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevada gets ‘F’ in efforts to prevent smoking

CARSON CITY — Nevada and 42 other states scored an “F” grade for failing to finance tobacco prevention and control programs at the needed levels, according to the American Lung Association.

In its annual report card, the association downgraded Nevada for becoming the first state in 2011 to partially roll back a statewide smoking law.

Charles Connor, president of the Lung Association, said most states did a poor job at tobacco prevention efforts last year.

Too many states, he said, “are turning away from proven interventions and are doing less to keep kids from smoking.”

The report said Nevada did not put any money into tobacco control programs, and the federal government is the only one investing money — $8.5 million — in such programs in Nevada.

The Legislature, meanwhile, enacted a law to permit smoking in food-service areas in age-restricted bars, taverns and saloons. It also permitted smoking in convention centers hosting tobacco-related events.

Citing statistics in other reports, the association said 21.3 percent of adults smoke; 17 percent of high school students smoke; and 8.2 percent of middle school pupils smoke.

The state rated a “D” grade on keeping the tax on cigarettes at 80 cents a pack. The association said it worked to increase the tax, but the bills never got out of committees in the Senate and Assembly.

Nevada rated a “C” grade for where it prohibits smoking, such as in government buildings, schools, child care facilities, restaurants and retail stores.

But the state got a failing grade on the coverage Medicaid and state employees’ health insurance provides to help treat smokers and to help them stop using tobacco.

The report said there were 3,310 deaths in Nevada blamed on smoking.

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