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Isles scolded in anti-smoking report
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 13, 2009
Hawaii gets high marks for discouraging smoking with its high tobacco tax and public smoking bans, but the American Lung Association gave the state an F grade for failing to help smokers kick the habit.
A report released today faulted the state government for offering health insurance plans that do not provide "maximum coverage" of smoking cessation programs or medications.
Jean Evans, executive director of the American Lung Association of Hawaii, said the report reflects a new scoring category on the annual report card issued nationally. It refers to the medical coverage for state employees and low-income residents in the state's Med-Quest programs.
Randy Perreira, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, said public employee unions back coverage to kick the nicotine addiction, but "it is the trustees of the Employer-Union Trust Fund who have not seen fit to add that to health insurance coverage."
Evans said, "Now is an opportune time to talk to state legislators to get comprehensive medical coverage."
She said Hawaii had the nation's lowest rate of respiratory disease deaths attributable to smoking in the period covered by the report, 2000-2004. It was second best, behind only Utah, in two other categories: lung cancer deaths attributed to smoking and other smoking-attributable deaths.
However, nicotine addiction treatment remains a public health issue, Evans said. "Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer for men and women in our state."
Other categories on the report card:
» Smoke-free air. Hawaii got an A because of its laws prohibiting smoking in work sites, schools, retail and restaurant businesses and recreation facilities.
» Spending on tobacco prevention and control. Hawaii received a B because it spent $11,309,652 in the field, 74.4 percent of the Centers for Disease Control guideline for the state. An A would be awarded if the spending hit 80 percent.
» Tobacco taxation. Hawaii's $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes received a B grade. States with a tax of $2.38 or more get an A.
"The annual grading provides a reality check on how we can improve," Evans said.
Hawaii gets high marks for discouraging smoking with its high tobacco tax and public smoking bans, but the American Lung Association gave the state an F grade for failing to help smokers kick the habit.
A report released today faulted the state government for offering health insurance plans that do not provide "maximum coverage" of smoking cessation programs or medications.
Jean Evans, executive director of the American Lung Association of Hawaii, said the report reflects a new scoring category on the annual report card issued nationally. It refers to the medical coverage for state employees and low-income residents in the state's Med-Quest programs.
Randy Perreira, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, said public employee unions back coverage to kick the nicotine addiction, but "it is the trustees of the Employer-Union Trust Fund who have not seen fit to add that to health insurance coverage."
Evans said, "Now is an opportune time to talk to state legislators to get comprehensive medical coverage."
She said Hawaii had the nation's lowest rate of respiratory disease deaths attributable to smoking in the period covered by the report, 2000-2004. It was second best, behind only Utah, in two other categories: lung cancer deaths attributed to smoking and other smoking-attributable deaths.
However, nicotine addiction treatment remains a public health issue, Evans said. "Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer for men and women in our state."
Other categories on the report card:
» Smoke-free air. Hawaii got an A because of its laws prohibiting smoking in work sites, schools, retail and restaurant businesses and recreation facilities.
» Spending on tobacco prevention and control. Hawaii received a B because it spent $11,309,652 in the field, 74.4 percent of the Centers for Disease Control guideline for the state. An A would be awarded if the spending hit 80 percent.
» Tobacco taxation. Hawaii's $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes received a B grade. States with a tax of $2.38 or more get an A.
"The annual grading provides a reality check on how we can improve," Evans said.
Today’s Edition
- Nonprofits feel pain of poor economy
- Symphony cancels concerts and will downsize
- New life for paraplegic lawyer
- Furlough rally held at Capitol
- Educators accused of unethical conduct
- Senate to grill DOE on stimulus
- Communication gaffe raises fuss in HPD chief selection
- Ala Wai traffic lanes reopened
- Newswatch
- Police / Fire
- The Search for Signs of Hawaiian Life
- Iraqis who return home face unemployment and poor services
- Prospect of more U.S. troops worries a wary Afghan public
- Kokua Line: State can enter property to act on hazards
- Surf sample sale in Kahala
- Got nutrients?
- Religion briefs
- Wood Craft: Sacred Hearts volleyball team is perfect
- Kahuku rallies for the Red
- Moanalua's time comes
- Farrington has Castle's number
- Desperate times at Aloha Stadium
- Further Review: UH's 2-6 mark makes a win tonight a must
- Wahine run over Fresno State
- Hawaii Beat
- Scoreboard
- Television & Radio
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