RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The American Lung Association gives Virginia failing grades for its tobacco control efforts. Virginia received F’s for tobacco prevention, smoke-free air, tobacco taxes and access to cessation services in an annual report released by the lung association on Wednesday. The report also gives Virginia a “thumbs-down” for having the second-lowest cigarette tax in the nation at 30 cents per pack. According to the report, Virginia spends only 12 percent of the funding level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for tobacco prevention and cessation. The American Lung Association in Virginia is asking lawmakers to restore funding for tobacco use prevention programs, eliminate smoking in all public places and workplaces, and increase funding for state tobacco cessation services.
