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Ohio residents may be surprised to learn a new report by Truth Initiative says the state is part of what the group refers to as "Tobacco Nation." That group is made up of 12 states in which both adults and young adults have a 50% higher smoking prevalence and smoke many more cigarettes per capita annually than those in other states.
Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia make up "Tobacco Nation, meaning those residents could end up smoking nearly 500 more cigarettes per year than the average smoker in the rest of the country.
Truth Initiative describes itself as "inspiring lives free from smoking, vaping and nicotine." To that end, it has along with HealthPartners Institute developed an outline for turning around such geographic disparities.
"More tobacco policy spending paired with higher cigarette taxes targeted to areas with the highest smoking prevalence can reduce disparities in tobacco use that have existed for decades, bringing adult smoking in Tobacco Nation down to the national average and resulting in considerable health and economic benefits," the group says.
But if it's that simple, why hasn't such a change been made in Ohio? According to Truth Initiative, "Disparities in tobacco prevention and cessation measures in Tobacco Nation are not the fault of the region's residents. Residents of Tobacco Nation have historically supported policies at levels equal to their counterparts in states outside Tobacco Nation. Instead, strong tobacco policies have not gained traction due to a combination of factors, including lack of political will, powerful tobacco industry interference in legislation, and prevention of local jurisdictions from adopting strong tobacco prevention and cessation measures."
It seems there is at least some political will here. Gov. Mike DeWine is being applauded by the American Cancer Society.
"Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed language from the state's operating budget bill which would have removed control from local governments. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network commends the Governor for standing up for Ohio's youth and keeping local government rights to pass laws stronger than the state law, which is proven to promote good health and well-being. Amid the growing youth tobacco epidemic, we need local communities to have the ability to pass laws to protect our kids, which build on state law protections. Local governments are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the people in their communities."
Good for DeWine. Now let us hope others in Columbus pick up the momentum.