Time to move S.C. to the head of the class

The American Lung Association's 2012 report ranking states on tobacco control efforts brought a bad report card for South Carolina. In nearly every category, we earned failing marks. But this isn't the whole picture. South Carolina has made notable progress, from many communities adopting smoke-free laws to the establishment of a statewide Quitline helping smokers kick the habit. And most notably, in 2010, raising the cigarette tax from seven cents per pack to 57 cents. These are significant steps, but there's more we can do to drastically improve the health of our citizens, save significant money, and improve our ranking.

The economic reality is that cigarette use drags on South Carolina's economy. Citizens are forced to underwrite the tobacco business at an annual cost of about $1,000 per household to support the medical consequences of smoking. Furthermore, tobacco growing is no longer an economic mainstay for us. Most tobacco in U.S. cigarettes comes from overseas. In short, South Carolina can no longer afford tobacco.

The following steps would be a boon to the health of our citizens and for the state's economy. First, South Carolina should adopt comprehensive clean air legislation. We are one of the few states without it. Also, lawmakers should consider adding a stamp to cigarette packs to improve tax collections, as well as licensing tobacco retailers to enforce responsible retailing practices.

Two other options also should be on the table. When re-evaluating how to use funds from the Master Settlement Agreement, legislators ought to consider dedicating a significant amount to tobacco control. The public health and economic dividends from such an investment would be incredible. And finally, raising the cigarette tax in 2010 was smart and necessary. That it was a decade in the offing should not deter lawmakers from raising this user fee even higher. Our cigarette tax remains 42nd lowest in the nation, and we're wise to remember that tobacco use is a personal choice with devastating ripple effects for our health and wallets.

While the state's leading research and tobacco control entities - the Hollings Cancer Center and DHEC - are engaging in tobacco-related cancer research, treatment and smoking-cessation programs, the state should do everything possible to protect the next generation of young people from becoming smokers.

It is a new day. Tobacco control is business friendly. Employers who want to come to our great state will not be attracted by an unhealthy workforce. In the 21st century, it is time for South Carolina to take tobacco control seriously and do what is necessary to get to the head of the class.

- K. Michael Cummings, PhD, MPH, and Matt Carpenter, PhD, are the co-leaders for tobacco research at the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina