They range from state-run control and prevention programs, smoke-free air ratings, access to quitting services and the amount of taxes charged for each tobacco product.
Amid those failing grades, more than 5,000 Mississippians die each year from tobacco related illnesses, the leading cause of preventable death both in-state and nationally.
In addition, the Lung Association estimates nearly 16% of adults in Mississippi use cigarettes, which is well above the national average. Those figures rise among users of other products, like e-cigarettes, at 27 percent, and high school students, nearly 22% of which in Mississippi are believed to be using some form of nicotine product.
Calandra Davis, Mississippi policy director for the American Lung Association, says those numbers are a clear sign that state officials are not investing funds into what is ultimately a public health measure.
“It's through these categories that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use, and what we believe will ultimately save more lives,” Davis told MPB News.
“The tobacco industry is increasing their aggression towards pushing policies, and I believe that's affecting how our legislators are feeling regarding protective public policies that reduce tobacco use. The best thing for our lawmakers to do is what the tobacco industry is doing: they're spending billions of dollars on their marketing and we are not. The state of Mississippi is not spending enough money on tobacco funding.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when combining access and other risk factors relating to tobacco use, Mississippi is recommended to spend roughly $36 million annually on tobacco control programs.
But for fiscal year 2025, state lawmakers earmarked only $10 million, roughly 27% of the CDC’s recommended ‘best practices’ budget.
When compared to the more than $200 million in state revenue generated by tobacco commerce, Davis says the influence of the larger tobacco industry remains strong, if not changed, from previous generations.
“They haven’t declined, but rebranded themselves. We may not see as much marketing for traditional cigarettes, but there has been an increase in marketing of nontraditional e-cigarette, or vaping, flavored tobacco products. And the marketing now, along with social media and viral sensations, leads to an increase in other tobacco and nicotine products.
