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CA Gets Report Card on Reducing Tobacco Use

The American Lung Association gives California mixed grades on the state's efforts to reduce tobacco use. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

CA Gets Report Card on Reducing Tobacco Use

The American Lung Association gives California mixed grades on the state's efforts to reduce tobacco use.  KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The state gets an A for creating smoke-free air. Debra Kelley is with the San Diego-Imperial County Lung Association. Kelley says the state has led the way with smoke-free environments.

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Kelley: We of course began with work places, restaurants, we added bars. And now we're expanding into new territory like beaches and parks and transit stops.

Kelley says California gets failing grades when it comes to taxing tobacco to pay for prevention programs.

Kelley: We have not raised the tobacco tax in 10 years and whereas we used to be the state with the highest tax no we are in the middle.

Kelley says El Cajon and Vista have led the way in reducing the illegal retail sales of tobacco to minors. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.