State of Tobacco Control 2023 Coming In:

 

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Montana Highlights

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Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Montana. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Montana’s elected officials:

  1. Increase funding for Montana’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program;
  2. Defend Montana’s comprehensive Clean Indoor Air Act; and
  3. Include e-cigarettes in Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act.
The Montana Legislature did not hold a legislative session in 2024 as the Montana Constitution states the Montana Legislature meets for no longer than 90 days in each odd-numbered year.The American Lung Association and stakeholders used this interim time to develop a strategic plan and goals for the next six years (including the next three legislative sessions). The plan, entitled “Montana Kids vs. Big Tobacco: A Game Plan for Winning a Tobacco-Free Montana,” provides background and a summary of tobacco use in Montana along with recommendations to reduce the deadly impact of tobacco on the state. The recommendations include the following:
  1. Increase funding for the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program.
  2. Include e-cigarettes in the Montana Clean Indoor Act (CIAA).
  3. Clarify ambiguous state legislation to support the ability of local communities to adopt policies to protect their communities from chronic disease.
  4. Amend the Montana constitution to raise the Minimum Legal Sales Age for the sale of tobacco products to 21.
  5. Defend the Montana CIAA from the expansion of cigar bars and marijuana consumption lounges.
  6. Implement a comprehensive tobacco retail license law.
  7. Eliminate the sale of flavored commercial tobacco products.
  8. Increase tobacco taxes.
Montana is at a critical time in the battle against death and disease caused by tobacco use. These ambitious recommendations are needed and now is the time to be diligent and tenacious in our efforts.

Providing adequate funding for tobacco prevention and cessation has been a long-standing pillar of evidence-based policies that reduce tobacco use. Increased funding for Montana’s program is needed and will be a focus for the American Lung Association and stakeholders during the 2024 session. Defending and strengthening Montana’s Clean Indoor Air Act is crucial. Fending off attempts to exempt cigar bars from this important public health law will be a priority.

Montana Facts
Healthcare Costs Due to Smoking: $440,465,233
Adult Smoking Rate: 12.40%
Adult Tobacco Use Rate: 22.50%
High School Smoking Rate: 6.90%
High School Tobacco Use Rate: 25.50%
Middle School Smoking Rate: 4.40%
Smoking Attributable Deaths per Year: 1,570
Adult smoking and tobacco use data come from CDC’s 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; adult tobacco use includes cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes. High school smoking and tobacco use data come from the 2023 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Middle school smoking rate (8th grade only) is taken from the 2022 Montana Prevention Needs Assessment Survey.

Health impact information is taken from the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) software. Smoking-attributable deaths reflect average annual estimates for the period 2005-2009 and are calculated for persons aged 35 years and older. Smoking-attributable healthcare expenditures are based on 2004 smoking-attributable fractions and 2009 personal healthcare expenditure data. Deaths and expenditures should not be compared by state.

Montana Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.

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