The American Lung Association released its 22nd annual State of Tobacco Control report Wednesday that rated New York state’s and federal tobacco control policies.

The report gave the state an F for tobacco prevention and control program funding, a D in flavored tobacco products, Bs for tobacco tax rates and access to cessation services, and an A for smoke free air.

The New York State Department of Health responded to the report card in a statement, saying:

"New York State continues to be a national leader in tobacco control policies and has implemented comprehensive programs that have been successful in reducing smoking among both youth and adults. The Department will continue to do all that we can to reduce smoking to protect the health of New Yorkers across the state.”

The report cited the state’s failed attempt to ban menthol cigarette sales and said tobacco prevention program funding is only at 24.5% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended level. 

“You look at the funding grade of an F, and that’s always an uphill battle on working with state governments to provide the resources that are necessary to complete their mission,” said Trevor Summerfield, director of advocacy with the American Lung Association. “And when you look at tobacco use in New York state, you clearly see, again, it’s a leading cause of death in the state and more resources need to be provided to it.”

A spokesperson for the NYSDOH said:

  • According to the New York State Department of Health as of May 2020, the sale of flavored vapor products that do not have an FDA marketing order are prohibited, including menthol-flavored products. Only tobacco-flavored vaping products are to be sold
  • The DOH has developed materials for middle and high school students to quit vaping
  • The Governor and the Department support the strategy of restricting the sale of menthol (banning all flavors in all products) and proposed it last year in the State of the State and the Governor’s budget but it was not included in the enacted budget
  • There continues to be strong support for this strategy a month public health advocates, faith-based leaders, NAACP and others vested in protecting the health of Black and Brown communities, youth, women, and the LGBTQ community – all of whom have been targeted by the tobacco industry with menthol-specific marketing
  • The Department continues to support this goal

More than 28,000 people in the state of New York die each year of smoking-related disease. The American Lung Association is calling for the state to preserve funding for tobacco control programs, prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products and eliminate loopholes on the sale of e-cigarettes.