MARIN >> The newly released American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2017 — California Local Grades report shows mixed results for communities along the North Coast when it comes to comprehensive tobacco control policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use and limit exposure to secondhand smoke.
Marin and Sonoma County top the list in the region, both receiving A grades. Sonoma and Belvedere also improved to A grades in this year’s report. But Lake County scored few points and only rose above F in on category.
In the association’s viewpoint, Belvedere stands out “as a shining example” of a city determined to make improvements to their tobacco control policies. After receiving repeated F grades for its smokefree air and tobacco retail licensing policies, the city made big changes in 2016 and can now boast an A in this year’s report.
Several other Marin and Sonoma County communities made the report’s list of Cities and Counties on the Rise including San Rafael for expanding smokefree policies to include e-cigarettes, and Cloverdale for passing comprehensive smokefree policies that include regulations on e-cigarettes.
A number of coastal counties continue to earn poor grades from the association, including Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
Lakeport, Clearlake and the county received Fs for Overall Tobacco Control, Smokefree Housing — meaning public units — and other categories. Only Lakeport and Clearlake broke the curve, earning D grades for smokefree outdoor air, thanks to recreational area policies.
“Local elected leaders who continue to ignore the incredible health risks associated with tobacco use are doing a disservice to their community,” said Olivia Diaz-Lapham, President and CEO of the American Lung Association in California. “Tobacco-related illnesses remain the single most preventable cause of disease and death in California and we urge communities to institute policies to reduce smoking rates and exposure to secondhand smoke, and to protect our children from a lifetime of addiction.”
While those counties struggled, they did have a few communities that made the list of Cities and Counties on the Rise. Fortuna and Blue Lake in Humboldt County were recognized for including e-cigarettes in their smokefree air policies. American Canyon in Napa County made the list for passing location restrictions for vape shops in the community.
The State of Tobacco Control 2017 — California Local Grades report issues grades for all 482 cities and 58 counties in California on local tobacco control policies. Grades are awarded in three categories: Smokefree Outdoor Air, Smokefree Housing, and Reducing Sales of Tobacco Products.
For the first time in the history of the report, more than 20 cities and counties received an overall A grade for their tobacco control policies. Additionally, this year’s report saw 12 fewer F grades handed out.
While the number of F grades continues to steadily decline, more than 50% of California’s population still live in communities scoring a D or F. This includes nearly half of the 10 most populous cities in the state. In fact, none of the top 10 most populous cities have an A grade, and none of them passed tobacco control policies in 2016.
“It is unacceptable that some of California’s largest cities continue to lag behind when it comes to preventing teens from smoking and ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed without the threat of secondhand smoke exposure,” Diaz-Lapham said. “Strong policies in our major cities, which are home to millions of people, would have significant public health benefits. We call on local officials in California’s largest cities to step up efforts to fight back against tobacco.”
Nationwide, California was one of the most improved states in 2016, earning strong grades in the national State of Tobacco Control 2017 report. The improved grades are a result of tobacco control policies passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Brown in 2016 including raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21, regulating e-cigarettes the same as other tobacco products and strengthening workplace smokefree laws. Additionally, voters passed Proposition 56 in November, which raises the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $2 to $2.87 per pack beginning in April 2017.
