Report: Md. failing in its effort to reduce tobacco use

A new report by the American Lung Association has announced that state of Maryland has failed to do enough in implementing effective polices to save lives from tobacco use.

The  'State of Tobacco Control Report grades states and the federal government on policies to prevent and reduce tobacco uses.This year Maryland received an 'A' for having strong smoke-free workplace laws.

However,  the state received failing grades in providing funding for prevention and cessation programs. The state received an 'F' in providing funding for prevention programs and for not increasing the age to purchase tobacco  to 21 years  old.

The report says they've added this new grade in an effort to increase the minimum sales age for tobacco products.

"Close to 95 percent of adult smokers try their first cigarette before the age of 21. Increasing the minimum age of sale for tobacco products to 21 will significantly reduce youth tobacco use and save thousands of lives nationwide," says Deborah P. Brown President and CEO, American Lung Association of the Mid-Atlantic.