Louisiana receives mixed grades on tobacco

Louisiana received three F’s and one B on a report card that graded how states were doing in the effort to prevent tobacco-related illnesses. Louisiana got a B for smoke-free air on the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control report, thanks to tough restrictions on smoking in public places. But the state got failing grades for tobacco prevention control and spending, cigarette taxes and smoking cessation coverage. The American Lung Association singled out the smoking cessation plans, noting that Louisiana is one of only six states that don’t offer benefits to state employees who want to kick the habit. Despite the low grades, Louisiana did better than the federal government, which got three F’s and a D. See the full report here.