ALBANY – New York State has made some progress in tobacco control, but more needs to be done, according to the American Lung Association, which today (Wednesday) released its 14th annual State of Tobacco Control report.
The report gave New York a grade of “F” for tobacco prevention and control program funding, a “B” for tobacco taxes, an “A” for smoke-free air, and an “F” for access to cessation services.
Jeff Seyler, the president of the American Lung Association of the Northeast, said more must be done as the landscape of tobacco products changes.
“Youth cigarette use may be decreasing but youth e-cigarette use and hookah use is skyrocketing,” Seyler said. “We cannot ignore the changing tobacco landscape. We need to update our laws to reflect that other newer tobacco products present. It’s going to take stronger tobacco policies to save lives and prevent another generation of youth from becoming addicted to tobacco.”
The American Lung Association in New York calls for three actions to be taken by elected officials to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke – expand New York’s Clean Indoor Air Act to restrict the use of electronic cigarettes; restore funding to the state’s tobacco control program; and increase the tobacco sales age to 21.
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