Florida Improves Its Smoking Grade
January 12th, 2010 by flanewsFlorida is getting better marks from the American Lung Association for its efforts to curb smoking. The association released its annual report card today, grading states in four areas including air quality and funding for smoking cessation programs. Florida received two ‘F’s, a ‘C,’ and a ‘B’. Brenda Olsen, the CEO of the association’s Florida branch, says the state moved up a letter grade in the tax category by increasing the tobacco tax by a dollar last year.
“That brings us up to a C in the cigarette excise tax. Right now we are at the national average and we have already seen a reduction in consumption in cigarettes as a result of that tax,” said Olsen.
Olsen says the state could raise its grade by increasing efforts and funding to help state workers quiet smoking.
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