2006 State of Tobacco Report

Tobacco Control in Colorado - Strides Made But Much Still to Be Done

DENVER, CO – Due in part to the new smoke-free law, Colorado made significant progress last year in protecting the public from the dangers of smoking, according to a report card issued today by the American Lung Association. However, the annual report notes that the state is failing to effectively prevent youth from obtaining tobacco products.

The American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2006 report graded the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in four categories: smoke-free air, tobacco taxes, prevention funding and restrictions on youth access to tobacco products. For the first time, Colorado earned an “A” for both prevention funding and smoke-free air. However, the state received an “F” for youth access and a “D” for tobacco tax.

Although Colorado earned an “A” for passing the Clean Indoor Air Act, the report card notes the “disappointing gap” caused by the law’s casino exemption. While the law protects employees in most of Colorado’s workplaces, more than 8,000 casino employees are still exposed to smoke on a daily basis.

Colorado also received high marks for prevention and tobacco control spending. Currently, Colorado is one of only four states that spend at least the minimum amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for tobacco control and prevention. “Knowing that the tobacco industry spends $217 million annually marketing its product in Colorado alone, we are pleased that the state’s tobacco tax is providing dedicated funding for a comprehensive tobacco control program, helping Colorado finally reach CDC minimums,” said Curt Huber, executive director at the American Lung Association in Colorado.

Still, Colorado received bad grades in the other categories. Most disturbing is the “F” for youth access. It remains relatively easy for someone under 18 to walk into a store and buy a pack of cigarettes in Colorado. State law does not require cigarettes to be kept in a locked case or behind the counter, nor are store clerks required to check photo identification for the purchase of tobacco products. In addition, it is generally easy to for stores who sell to minors to avoid penalties.

“Numerous studies have shown that making cigarettes as inconvenient and difficult as possible for youth to obtain reduces the number of kids who smoke,” said Sally Casey of the Get R!EAL campaign of the University of Colorado. Currently, 24.1 percent of Colorado high school students smoke, and an additional 5,800 Colorado youth become regular smokers each year, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“Smoking is a deadly addiction that starts young, and often lasts for life. Colorado law should be strengthened to require tobacco retailers to obtain licenses to sell tobacco products and provide more meaningful penalties for retailers who sell to youth, such as graduated fines with an ultimate license suspension for repeat offenders,” said Kay Bond, legal resource manager for the American Lung Association in Colorado.

The report also gave Colorado a “D” in the category of cigarette tax. Although voters approved a $0.64 per pack tax increase in 2004, Colorado’s tobacco tax remains below the national average.

“This report offers an opportunity for Colorado to celebrate its successes, such as the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act. It also serves as a reminder that we still have work to do to achieve equal protection for casino workers and limit kids’ access to tobacco,” stated Sarah Davis, vice president of tobacco control programs at the American Lung Association in Colorado.

About the American Lung Association in Colorado

For nearly 100 years, the American Lung Association in Colorado has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association in Colorado funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association in Colorado is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungcolorado.org.