AUGUSTA — Maine’s latest report card on tobacco use shows a continuing slide in the state’s grades.

The American Lung Association of Maine, whose report card is being released today, gives Maine an A for protecting people from secondhand smoke and a B for helping smokers quit.

But Maine gets a C for not raising its cigarette tax beyond the current $2 per pack. The anti-smoking group gives Maine a D, its first ever, for tobacco-prevention funding that’s less than the federal government’s recommended figure.

The lung association’s Ed Miller says the A, B, C and D grades reflect a downward slide from 2005 when Maine got straight A’s.

The group favors a cigarette tax increase and continued Medicaid reimbursements for smoking cessation programs.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.