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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah led the nation last year with the lowest percentage of adult smokers in the United States.
The American Lung Association's 2024 rendition of its annually released State of Tobacco Control report released Wednesday lauds the Beehive State for its low smoking rate, but gives Utah mixed grades for its tobacco policies. The report encourages lawmakers to increase taxes on tobacco products, which has been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use.
"Utah has the lowest smoking rate in the country — that's something to be proud of," Nick Torres, advocacy director for the American Lung Association in Utah, said about Utah's impressively low rate of adult smokers of only 6.7%.
According to the report, the national adult smoking rate is 11.6% — with some states, such as West Virginia, being recorded as having adult smoking rates as high as 21%.
However, as low as the reported adult smoking rate is in the state, the Utah branch of the American Lung Association is still dedicated to educating policymakers on the dangers of tobacco use, Torres said.
He explained that when state legislators and lawmakers gather every year to create the budget, funding is allocated for tobacco prevention and control programs. That funding can be used to invest in initiatives like public awareness campaigns and local prevention programs designed to reach out to communities and children about the dangers of smoking.
Utah received an A grade for its tobacco prevention and control funding; in comparison, the American Lung Association gave the U.S. a C on the federal level for the same category.
Last year, Utah spent $16,691,862 on tobacco control programs, with just over $1.2 million coming from the federal government. The report shows Utah spent 86.5% of what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it spend on tobacco control programs. This is important because the recent popularity of flavored e-cigarette products among teenagers and young adults is still a trend the association wants to combat through outreach programs designed to target teenagers and young adults.
Another category on the American Lung Association's report card where Utah scored well was smoke-free air — the state was given a B for prohibiting smoking inside most indoor environments, a stipulation in place unless a business owner decides patrons are allowed to smoke indoors, which is the case at some Utah bars and pubs.
When it comes to smoking cessation services access, Utah received a C grade because of limits that exist for Medicaid users regarding what is covered when it comes to smoking cessation counseling and medication; in comparison, the U.S. got a D for similar reasons. Torres said the American Lung Association's criteria for a perfect score in that category includes Medicaid-covered smokers having access to all FDA-approved smoking cessation medications and therapies.
He explained, part of the effort to keep tobacco products out of the hands of teenagers involves addressing the state's tobacco tax policies. In the tobacco tax category of the American Lung Association's report card, both the U.S. and Utah were given a failing grade.
"The importance of tobacco taxes is that it is one of the most effective ways to give people an incentive to quit smoking," explained Torres, highlighting how increasing the tax rate on tobacco products can have the effect of restricting access to those tempted to purchase tobacco products. "As the price goes up, it gets a bit harder for kids to get their hands on tobacco products."
Utah's current tax rate for a pack of 20 cigarettes is $1.70 per pack, according to the association. The last time the Utah Legislature increased the cigarette tax was in 2010, and Torres says the American Lung Association is currently hoping for the subject to come up during the current 2024 Legislature.
"Because Utah hasn't raised tobacco taxes in almost 15 years, that is something that could use some extra attention," said Torres, warning states like Utah, which have lower smoking rates, to not grow complacent and to remain vigilant so their adult smoking rates don't begin to climb.
When it comes to policies for which the American Lung Association will be keeping an eye out, Torres explained they will be watching any new proposed policies regarding the expansion of access to smoking cessation services, increasing the state tobacco tax rate and further steps to eliminate the sale of flavored tobacco products like e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.
"Tobacco use is still the No. 1 preventable cause of death and disease across the country," said Torres. "Highlighting how states can improve and reduce the burden of tobacco use in the states will continue to be a big part of our jobs at the American Lung Association."
