ATLANTA — Tobacco use remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and disease, taking an estimated 480,000 lives every year.
This year’s “State of Tobacco Control” report from the American Lung Association calls for proven tobacco control policies in light of the fact the country’s youth vaping epidemic worsened in 2019.
The report says Georgia failed in its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use, including e-cigarettes.
Leaders with the American Lung Association said lawmakers have to step up to the plate this year in order to help save lives.
Georgia receiving four F’s and one D -- all failing grades.
Senior Director June Deen said with the youth vaping epidemic, it’s more urgent now than ever for Georgia to do more.
“One of the first best things we could do is raise the state tax on tobacco products. Georgia has the third lowest cigarette tax in the country with 37 cents. The average state tax is a $1.81,” Deen said.
The American Lung Association is also calling on lawmakers to Increase state funding for tobacco control programs, including prevention and education.
“Parents and schools and local communities are on the forefront of this issue, and they’re in need of some good laws and some education, awareness campaigns and information,” Deen said.
John Atkinson, a senior at Centennial High School in Roswell, is doing his part. He started an anti-vaping campaign at his school last year after he said his principal told him vaping was the number one reason for suspension at his school.
“I went around to classrooms, particularly freshman classrooms, because it’s better to catch them early before it becomes a habit, and we talked about the causes of vaping and seriousness of it,” Atkinson said.
“After I leave I don’t want this to end, so one of the real causes of this campaign was to create change agent and hopefully people pick up where I left off,” Atkinson said.
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