The American Lung Association released their 20th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report this week and it showed that Wyoming continues to lag behind on policies to reduce tobacco use. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
American Lung Association Report Reveals Wyoming Lags Behind on Policies to Reduce Tobacco Use
The report finds that Wyoming earned average to failing grades on passing policies to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. According to the American Lung Association, the “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policymakers on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use, the nation’s leading cause of preventable death. The report recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives. Wyoming has made some progress to reduce tobacco use, as the report indicated that legislators increased funding for tobacco prevention and control program funding, earning a “C” grade in that category. The adult smoking rate in Wyoming is at 18.5 percent and the tobacco use rate in high school is at 38.4 percent. Wyoming received an “F” in the areas of strength of smoke free workplace laws, level of state tobacco taxes and ending the sales of all flavored tobacco products.
According to the report, Wyoming receives over $39 million from tobacco settlement payments and tobacco taxes and funds tobacco control efforts at 66.4 percent of the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In conclusion, the report stated that policy makers in Wyoming have the opportunity to provide quality and affordable healthcare, including tobacco cessation treatment, to over 7,000 uninsured Wyoming residents by expanding Medicaid. States that have expanded Medicaid saw over a 20 percent increase in the use of cessation medications in the Medicaid population. You can view the full report here.
Last modified: January 28, 2022