Mass. scores well on tobacco age law, poorly on prevention
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The Chicago headquarters of the American Lung Association
Massachusetts is among the best states for having laws banning sales to those under 21, but ranks poorly for funding smoking prevention and cessation, according to the latest annual scoreboard by the American Lung Association.
Massachusetts was one of eight states to earn an A for its minimum age to buy cigarettes, and also got an A for laws banning smoking in public places including workplaces, retail establishments and restaurants.
As for tobacco taxes, the Bay State's per-pack tax of $3.51 isn't enough to prevent and reduce tobacco use, the American Lung Association said. Then again, only 15 states earned something other than an F in that category.
Massachusetts scored worst for access to smoking cessation devices and funding for prevention and cessation.
The state got a D for access to smoking cessation devices because the state Medicaid program doesn't cover all products, and because state employee health plans have some barriers to counseling coverage.
Worst of all, Massachusetts got an F for setting aside only $4.6 million in its 2020 budget for smoking control programs. The state isn't alone in that regard: only eight states didn't get an F in that category.
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