Policy Recommendation to Lower Smoking in Kentucky
To: Honourable Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear
From: LaCole Foots
Policy Problem
It is a known and indisputable fact that smoking lowers the quality of life and lifespan and increases chronic health risks for all people who smoke. Unfortunately, the State of Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the nation. Of the adult population, 29% identify as smokers in the state compared to 19% across the rest of the nation (Center for Disease Control 2011). The smoking affects health care costs by adding a $1.5 billion additional burden; costs the state $2.3 billion in losses in productivity and cost about $580 per household in state and federal tax burdens due to smoke-caused government expenditures (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids 2013).
In addition to leading the nation in adult smoking population, Kentucky has the highest teen smoking rate. Approximately 24% of high school students admit to smoking in Kentucky versus the national average of 18% (CDC 2011). As nearly 9 out of 10 adult smokers started before they were 18 years old and 99% of smokers started before their 26th birthday, curbing teen smoking is critical in lowering adult smoking (American Cancer Society 2013).
The consequences of a life of smoking cannot be understated within Kentucky. Lung cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the state (World Life Expectancy 2013) and Kentucky was ranked the worse in the nation for smoking-attributable adult mortality for adults aged 35 and older (CDC 2013).
Now is the time to address this issue before it becomes an even larger strain on the health of Kentuckians.
Options
Implement Plain Cigarette Packaging
Many health proponents agree that advertisement has a greater effect on whether or not teens first pick up a pack of cigarettes. This option lowers the “cool” factor that many teens seek in smoking and has been proven to aid slightly in the lowering of youth smoking.
Increase the Tobacco Excise Tax
Currently, Kentucky has the 10th
From: LaCole Foots
Policy Problem
It is a known and indisputable fact that smoking lowers the quality of life and lifespan and increases chronic health risks for all people who smoke. Unfortunately, the State of Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the nation. Of the adult population, 29% identify as smokers in the state compared to 19% across the rest of the nation (Center for Disease Control 2011). The smoking affects health care costs by adding a $1.5 billion additional burden; costs the state $2.3 billion in losses in productivity and cost about $580 per household in state and federal tax burdens due to smoke-caused government expenditures (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids 2013).
In addition to leading the nation in adult smoking population, Kentucky has the highest teen smoking rate. Approximately 24% of high school students admit to smoking in Kentucky versus the national average of 18% (CDC 2011). As nearly 9 out of 10 adult smokers started before they were 18 years old and 99% of smokers started before their 26th birthday, curbing teen smoking is critical in lowering adult smoking (American Cancer Society 2013).
The consequences of a life of smoking cannot be understated within Kentucky. Lung cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death in the state (World Life Expectancy 2013) and Kentucky was ranked the worse in the nation for smoking-attributable adult mortality for adults aged 35 and older (CDC 2013).
Now is the time to address this issue before it becomes an even larger strain on the health of Kentuckians.
Options
Implement Plain Cigarette Packaging
Many health proponents agree that advertisement has a greater effect on whether or not teens first pick up a pack of cigarettes. This option lowers the “cool” factor that many teens seek in smoking and has been proven to aid slightly in the lowering of youth smoking.
Increase the Tobacco Excise Tax
Currently, Kentucky has the 10th