By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – The state of Missouri is failing in its efforts to curb tobacco use. That's according to a national report released Tuesday by the American Lung Association.
The state received an "F" in prevention and control spending, cigarette taxation and providing smoke-free facilities.
However, Missouri scored a "B" for its work in limiting youth access to tobacco. But the American Lung Association's Lori Pickens said there are still some things the state could be doing.
"Clerk intervention would prohibit access to a purchase of products without the intervention of a sales clerk," Pickens said. "We've got a lack of requirement of photographic identification to prove that they are the age they say they are. So it needs some work to take it to an A, but it's not unachievable."
Illinois also received an "F" in three key categories. The state received a "C" in the area of cigarette taxation.