The American Lung Association in California has given the city of La Mesa an F rating for its tobacco policies—prompting a retort from Mayor Art Madrid that the group should focus its efforts elsewhere.
The annual report, released Wednesday, issues grades for all cities and counties in California on local tobacco control policies including those for smokefree outdoor environments, smokefree housing, and reducing sales of tobacco products.
Overall, the association said the state of California "falls short in adequately funding tobacco prevention programs to protect children and curb tobacco-caused disease." California earned an A grade for its smokefree air policies but received a D for its low cigarette tax, an F for failing to adequately fund tobacco prevention and control programs, and another F for poor coverage of smoking cessation and treatment services.
La Mesa received an overall F grade, and received F’s in two out of the three categories:
Smoke-free Outdoor Air: D
Smoke-free Housing: F
Reducing Sales of Tobacco Products: F
Madrid said that this is the second or third year that the city has received these grades, saying that the American Lung Association always focuses on "the low hanging fruit, local stores."
"I know that all local stores in La Mesa require an I.D. check when making a tobacco purchase," said Madrid. "I have told them, the ALA, that their time and energy would be better served and more effective, if they focused their attention on those issues at the federal and state levels, where legislation will address all of their concerns."
La Mesa's neighboring city, El Cajon, received the highest grade in the county, a B, for its strong smoke-free outdoor air laws, smoke-free protections for apartment residents, and effective tobacco retail licensing program.
Other neighboring communities Lemon Grove, Santee, and unincorporated San Diego County also received overall F grades.
“Safeguarding our communities from the negative consequences of tobacco is critical,” said American Lung Association in California—San Diego Chairman Paul Manasjan. “These grades represent real health consequences. We know how to win the fight against tobacco, but it requires strong leadership and action by elected officials at all levels.”
The association also criticized the state for not increasing its cigarette tax since 1999 and spending only 15 percent of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends to adequately fund tobacco prevention programs and services to help people quit smoking.
There are about 3 million new youth smokers in the U.S. and 34,400 in California every year. About 37,000 deaths are caused by tobacco use, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
“We need to do more to fight the influence of tobacco interests in California politics,” said American Lung Association in California Chairwoman Marsha Ramos. “Our state elected officials have an opportunity to change course in 2013 and make big strides in the fight to end tobacco-caused death and disease. It’s going to take a great deal of political will, but we are confident our elected officials are up to the challenge. Our children’s health is depending on them.”
To view the complete California report, including grades for cities in San Diego County, visit www.lung.org/california or click on the PDF attached to this article.
