Lamorinda Gets A "C" and Two "F's" In Annual Tobacco Report

The American Lung Association flunked Moraga and Orinda and gave Lafayette a "C" in its annual tobacco report on cities and counties released on Wednesday.

The report graded local governments in four key areas -- tobacco control and prevention spending, smoke-free air, cigarette tax and cessation coverage.

The report states the battle to reduce tobacco use in most states, including California, has "all but stalled."

Lafayette, however, was one of the cities that showed improvement.

The city received an overall grade of "C" for its efforts in 2013 to reduce tobacco use. Last year, the city received an "F."

This year, Lafayette received an "A" for smoke-free outdoor air, a "C" for smoke-free housing and a "D" for reduction of tobacco product sales.

The association applauded the city for the passage of an anti-smoking ordinance in October.

The law prohibits smoking in multi-family housing projects, outdoor public areas, public events and outdoor dining areas.

It allows smoking in designated areas of public places. In addition, people who lived in multi-family facilities before the ordinance took effect are not affected.

In the report, Moraga received an overall grade of "F."

The town received an "F" for smoke-free outdoor air, a "F" for smoke-free housing and an "F" for reduction of tobacco product sales.

Orinda also earned a grade of "F."

The city was given an "F" for smoke-free outdoor air and an "F" for smoke-free housing. It received a "D" for tobacco produce sale reduction.

In Contra Costa County, one city (Richmond) received an "A" as did the unincorporated regions. Three cities received a "B," four cities got a "C," three cities earned a "D" and eight cities were tagged with an "F."

Overall, the lung association says the country must "renew its commitment to eliminate tobacco-caused death and disease."

“Despite great strides in reducing smoking rates in America, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and illness in the U.S.,” said Anita Lee, interim chief executive officer of the American Lung Association in California. “We must renew our commitment to stopping tobacco from robbing another generation of Americans of their health and future."

The reports notes California used to be a leader in tobacco control policies, but now the state is falling behind in these measures.

In this year's report, the number of California cities receiving an "A" rose while the number getting an "F" declined.

However, more than 60 percent of California's municipalities still received "F" grades.