Colorado gets a big F for its lack of programs to help people quit smoking but an A for smoke-free air in restaurants and bars, according to a report card released Monday from the American Lung Association.
The state Medicaid program is flawed because it covers only one attempt to quit smoking, even though it can take up to seven attempts for many people, the association said. Also, the state program covers individual counseling only for pregnant women.
Colorado got a D for its cigarette tax rate, which the association says is too low.
Voters approved a 64-cent- per-pack tax increase on cigarettes in 2005, upping the tax to 84 cents. Before the increase, Colorado had the second-lowest tax in the nation.
Since then, other states have passed “very aggressive” tobacco tax increases and now Colorado is again below average.
States with a per-pack tax above $2.30 got As and states under 59 cents received Fs.
It’s time for another increase, said Cindy Liverance, vice president of programs for the American Lung Association of Colorado. The higher the tax, the lower the youth smoking rate, she said.
“It’s imperative,” she said. “Now we need to do the education and explain why it’s important.”
