Smoking kills 178,000 women each year. To save lives, the federal government set goals to reduce smoking by 2010. But in a new report card by the National Women's Law Center, a non-profit organization, most states get a failing grade for their lack of pro

National Women's Law Center Vice President Judy Waxman said, "In fact, only two states got the grade "Satisfactory Minus," which means they are meeting a few of the goals. But no state is meeting all 11 goals, and most states fail miserably." The report faults states for not taking steps such as passing smoke-free workplace laws, raising cigarette taxes and funding smoking prevention programs. Cheryl Healton is the President and CEO of American Legacy Foundation. She said, "It's very important to work to change attitudes about the tobacco epidemic because, first, people don't understand how grave a problem it is. Second, they don't understand how very difficult it is for smokers to quit and how much social support and medical support many of them need to have in order to succeed." Public health advocates said the new study is evidence that it will take more than efforts by states to curb smoking among women and girls. Matthew Myers is the President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He said, "This report shows why it is so important that the Food and Drug Administration have real authority over tobacco marketing, including tobacco marketing aimed at women and girls and authority to stop misleading health claims." Not only does reducing smoking save lives, public health groups said it can also save billions of dollars in lost productivity and health care costs.

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