By Jim Anderson–Illinois Radio News
Illinois gets a good grade and three bad ones for its tobacco laws in the 2015 State of Tobacco Control report report from the American Lung Association.
Illinois gets an "A" for its smoke-free air laws, says Kathy Drea, the association’s vice-president of advocacy for the Upper Midwest.
Illinois gets an "F" for tobacco prevention and control funding, access to cessation services and tobacco taxes.
Illinois takes in $1.1 billion in tobacco tax, and $350 million to $400 million in tobacco settlement funds, yet spends only $13 million on tobacco control – 9 percent of the amount the Centers for Disease Control recommends.
Illinois does have a low adult smoking rate – 18 percent.
