Eliminating Tobacco Disparities

Health Disparities Council July 16, 2012

State of Lung Disease in Diverse Communities

Compared to White smokers, Black smokers were:

• 70% less likely to be asked by a doctor about their tobacco use

• 72% less likely to be advised to quit

Cost of Tobacco Use• 9,000 adults die every year in MA from tobacco use.

• For every person who dies from a smoking-related disease, 20 people suffer from a smoking-related illness.

• We spend over $4.3 billion a year treating tobacco-related illnesses in Massachusetts. That represents 10% of our state’s health care costs.

Community Awareness: Rhode Island

Point of Purchase/Retail Advertising:

• Increases current smokers’ consumption • May reduce current smokers’ resolve to quit • Encourages former smokers to resume their habit • Encourages youth smoking initiation

Minority Pop =

70.1% -95.4%

Minority Pop = 7.5% - 20%

Minority Pop =

20% - 50%

South Side/West SidePopulation = 38,718

Area = 2.83 sq. mi.

East SidePopulation = 34,580

Area = 4.27 sq mi

36 Vendors 27 Outdoor Ads 66 Vendors

153 Outdoor Ads

Providence, RI2007-2008

Community Awareness: New York City

• Youth-led walking tours in all 5 boroughs of NYC

• Highlighted tobacco ads that target the community

• Engaged decision makers

“Eye level is buy level.”- British American Tobacco

Community Awareness: Massachusetts

Policy Solutions: Local

• Permitting• Packaging • Point of Purchase/Retail Advertising • Expanding Products Covered • Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products

Tobacco Free Pharmacies

• 38 communities in Massachusetts have passed policies including: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell

• Cover 32.2% of state population (over 2 million people)

• State legislation filed by Chairwoman Susan Fargo and Representative Sean Garballey

• Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Funding

• Tax policy

• Access to tobacco cessation treatments

• Smokefree laws

Policy Solutions: State

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what_we_do/state_local/tobacco_settlement/massachusetts

Massachusetts Tobacco Revenue vs. Spending

http://www.massbudget.org/

The number of packs sold in Massachusetts

decreased 59% from FY92 to FY10.

State excise tax revenue from cigarettes

increased 6% annually.

Increase Price, Decrease Consumption

Other Tobacco Products Tax Loophole• State Cigarette tax = $2.51 per pack • Lower tax rate on kid-friendly, non-cigarette tobacco products• Legislation filed by Representative Hecht to close this

loophole.

Source: MA Department of Public Health, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1998- 2008

Helping Smokers Quit

Smoking Cessation Treatments• Comprehensive insurance coverage of 7 FDA-

approved medications & counseling options • Expanding MassHealth cessation benefit to Group

Insurance Commission and Commonwealth Care plans would save $1.4 million in Year 1 and $7.4 million by Year 5.

Going Smokefree

• Protecting our 2004 Smokefree Workplace Law• Institutions – Academic, Health Care• Public & Private Housing• Outdoor spaces • Cars

Policy Solutions: Federal

Cessation Coverage • Affordable Care Act • Federal Employees & Department of Defense

FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products • Graphic Warning Labels• Ban on flavored cigarettes (Menthol TBD)

Engaging Policy Partners

Across the Health Sector EducationElder Affairs Housing Veterans

Questions? Katie King

Director, Public Policy kking@lungne.org (781) 314 – 9011