American Lung Association of Nevada

State of Tobacco Control Report Card

The American Lung Association of Nevada, now part of the American Lung Association of the Southwest, works to stimulate greater awareness of tobacco control issues in Nevada and advocates for tobacco control policy change at the state and local levels. Key activities include protecting and strengthening Nevada’s strong smokefree air law, enacting tobacco tax increases and repealing preemption of local tobacco control policy.

The 2007 legislative session in Nevada had a decidedly mixed outcome for tobacco control policies. One bill, that the Lung Association strongly opposed, was approved that reduces the already small amount of Master Settlement Agreement money going to Nevada’s tobacco control program. Before this cut, Nevada was spending barely 30 percent of the minimum level of funding recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that Nevada will receive a bump in its MSA payments in April 2008, Nevada should be increasing the amount of money being spent on these vital public health programs, not cutting them.

A bill was also approved in 2007 that strengthened Nevada’s youth access laws by requiring the posting of a warning sign at the point of purchase when selling tobacco products. The bill also prohibits the use of cigarette self-service displays.

Thanks to the state’s voters, Nevada now has a strong smokefree law in place that prohibits smoking in many public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Preemption of local smokefree laws was also repealed allowing local communities to now pass stronger laws. Although there have been some implementation challenges, the vast majority of affected businesses are respecting the will of the voters. Only civil penalties can be levied for violation due to a judge’s decision on a constitutional challenge to the law in January 2007.

Since preemption was repealed for local school districts in 2003, the two largest school districts have adopted Tobacco Free School (TFS) policies that meet CDC guidelines. Currently, over 85 percent of Nevada youth attend schools with an approved TFS policy. The American Lung Association of Nevada offers support and guidance to districts in making the transition to tobacco free schools.

The American Lung Association of Nevada will continue to work to strengthen Nevada’s tobacco control policies, and protect Nevada’s citizens from the deadly toll of tobacco use.

Click here to view Nevada ’s report.

For the full report or to view reports from other areas in the United States, click here.