Smoking bans across the state of Texas have created a stir between smokers and anti-smokers. About twenty percent of adult Texans smoke and Texas spends $5.8 billion each year in health expenses related directly to tobacco. About $349 million is spent in health expenses related to second hand smoke. The American Lung Association has recently graded the states based on their commitment level to smoking bans and cigarette taxes. To much surprise Texas received an unexpected grade.

The criteria for the grading system have to do with where a person can and cannot smoke in restaurants or bars. Texas has earned an “F”. The state of Texas has not made levying cigarette taxes, funding prevention campaigns, or banning smoking in work and public places a priority. With tobacco contributing largely to disease and death and health care costs raising at an uncomfortable rate, an “F” makes numerous anti-smokers uneasy.

“I do not see why people are fighting against banning smoking in public places. It puts other people in danger. If you are going to smoke do it outside or in private,” said Kelsey Richardson. The American Lung Association began the Smokefree Air Challenge in January of 2006. It was issued to encourage states to pass laws that ban cigarette smoking in restaurants, schools, bars, casinos, and workplaces. As of 2008 only Nebraska and Iowa succeeded in the challenge, but twenty-three states have now created laws to keep their airs smoke free.

Taxes on cigarette packs have created its own controversy as well. Although raising taxes have brought adult consumption down four percent and teenage consumption down seven percent, some wonder how much it will take to make people stop.

“I think taxes on cigarettes should be raised higher then most things since their health liabilities. Then maybe the high prices will force people to quit,” said Hannah Carson. The state of New York has the highest tax at $2.75 per pack, while South Carolina has the lowest at 0.07 cents per pack. Texas taxes $1.41 per pack.

The percentage of smokers is at an all time high in the state of Texas. About 19.3 percent of adults smoke, while 9.5 percent of middle school students smoke in Texas. A shocking 21.1 percent of high school students smoke in the Lone Star State.