Smokefree air? Not in these 15 states
It's no secret that smoking kills. But if you think smokers are the only ones who have to worry, think again. Secondhand smoke causes an estimated 46,000 premature deaths a year in the U.S. To fight this stark statistic, states have enacted laws that call for "smoke-free" parks, restaurants, and other public spaces. But the American Lung Association's most recent State of Tobacco Control report shows that not all states have joined the smokefree bandwagon.
Where do smokefree laws remain lax? Keep clicking to find out...
15. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania kicks off the list of states with the weak laws encouraging "smokefree air." In the Keystone State, smoking is prohibited in many public places and workplaces, but allowed in separately enclosed and separately ventilated areas/rooms or completely unrestricted in restaurants and bars. Local communities are prohibited from passing stronger local smokefree ordinances as well.
The state received a "C" grade in the report.
Total score: 36
14. Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, smoking is prohibited in some public places, allowed in separately enclosed and ventilated rooms/offices in private workplaces and restaurants, and unrestricted in bars. Local communities are prohibited from passing stronger local smokefree ordinances as well.
The state received a "D" grade in the report.
Total score: 34
13. North Dakota
In North Dakota, smoking is prohibited in many public places and workplaces, but allowed in separately enclosed bar areas of restaurants and in bars.
The state received a "C" grade in the report.
Total score: 32
12. Georgia
In Georgia, smoking is prohibited in a number of public places and workplaces, but allowed in rooms/areas of private workplaces, restaurants and bars and allowed completely in restaurants and bars that do not employ or allow entrance to persons under age 18.
The state received a "C" grade in the report.
Total score: 31
11. Alaska
In Alaska, smoking is prohibited in some places such as schools and child care facilities, but allowed in designated indoor areas or unrestricted in most other places. The state does have strong local smokefree ordinances in a number of cities.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 21
10. Alabama
In Alabama, smoking is restricted to designated areas in some indoor public places, but is unrestricted in private workplaces, restaurants and bars.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 20
9. Virginia (TIE)
In Virginia, smoking is prohibited in most schools and child care facilities, and restricted to separately enclosed rooms/areas in many other public places, including restaurants and bars. Local communities are prohibited from passing stronger local smokefree ordinances as well.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 16
9. Missouri (TIE)
In Missouri, smoking is allowed in designated indoor areas in almost all public places and workplaces, and unrestricted in private workplaces and bars.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 16
7. Mississippi
In Mississippi, smoking is prohibited in child care facilities and most schools and state/local government buildings. However, smoking is allowed anywhere indoors in all other public places and workplaces.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 11
6. South Carolina
In South Carolina, smoking is prohibited or restricted to separate indoor areas in certain types of public places and workplaces, but not restricted at all in private workplaces, restaurants and bars. The state does have strong local smokefree ordinances in a number of cities.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 10
5. Texas
In Texas, smoking is prohibited in child care facilities, and restricted to certain areas in several types of public places, but not restricted at all in private workplaces, restaurants and bars. The state does have strong local smokefree ordinances in a number of cities.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 9
4. West Virginia (TIE)
In West Virginia, smoking is prohibited in most schools and state government buildings, and restricted to designated areas in child care facilities. Smoking is not restricted in other places, including private workplaces, restaurants and bars. The state does have strong local smokefree ordinances in a number of cities.
The state received "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 7
4. Indiana (TIE)
In Indiana, smoking is allowed in designated indoor areas in most public places and unrestricted in private workplaces, restaurants and bars.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 7
2. Kentucky
In Kentucky, smoking is prohibited in certain state government buildings, and restricted in other state government buildings and schools. However, smoking is allowed anywhere indoors in all other public places and workplaces. The state does have strong local smoke-free ordinances in a number of cities.
The state received an "F" grade in the report.
Total score: 3
1. Wyoming
Wyoming didn't just flunk the American Lung Association's test - it got zero points in the report. Except for a policy restricting smoking in state government buildings, the state has no restrictions on smoking in any public places and workplaces.
Total score: 0