Ohio
Ohio, Ky., Ind., all earn failing grades in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts
The American Lung Association released its 2024 State of Tobacco Control report Wednesday, which evaluates state efforts to eliminate tobacco use. Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa and Ohio scored failing grades in most categories.
The report compares state policies to evidence-based practices known to prevent youth from using tobacco and help smokers quit. It looks at five evidence-based categories: funding for tobacco prevention and control programs, cigarette taxes, smokefree air, access to cessation services and restrictions on flavored tobacco products.
The report described 2023 as a “disappointing year” for tobacco prevention policies and legislation nationwide on the state and local levels because no states passed comprehensive smokefree workplace laws or comprehensive flavored tobacco product laws.
Nationally, there was an uptick in adult tobacco use in 20022 driven by an increase in the number of adults using e-cigarettes. This trend has been driven by 18- to 24-year-olds’ increased use of e-cigarettes over the past two years. According to the report, 65.5% of e-cigarette users in this group did not smoke cigarettes before in 2022.
Tiffany Nichols, a director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Indiana, said other southern states share similar failing grades.
But Oklahoma scored an A in two categories: Funding for tobacco prevention and control and cessation programs to help smokers quit.
Illinois scored an A in two categories too: Its efforts to maintain smokefree air and access to cessation programs to help people quit. Similarly, Ohio scored an A grade in the smokefree air category.
In some Midwestern states, tobacco prevention and control programs are drastically underfunded and are way below the level recommended by the CDC.
Cigarette taxes in some of these states are also among the lowest in the nation. Ranging from Missouri’s $0.17 to Illinois’ $2.9.
The highest cigarette taxes of more than $4 are in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.
Advocates in states like Indiana have tried to increase the cigarette tax for nearly a decade. Lawmakers there considered a bill last year to increase the tobacco tax up to $2, but the legislation failed.
Nichols thinks some lawmakers might believe it’s a tax on people who are low-income, one of the demographic groups that typically uses tobacco.
“We’re not trying to tax the poor, but we know that it’s an evidence-based strategy” that would help many smokers finally decide to quit, Tiffany Nichols, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Indiana, said. “And it will help a lot of young people decide that smoking just isn’t something that they want to do once the price hits a certain threshold,” she said.
Between 14% and 22% of highschoolers in some Midwestern states use tobacco, mainly through e-cigarettes.
Smoking continues to cost states billions of dollars in health care costs, ranging from $5 billion in Illinois, $2.9 billion in Indiana, $1.9 billion in Kentucky to a little over $1 billion in Iowa.
According to the report, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars stand in the way of tobacco prevention efforts because more young adults start using cigars with flavored versions compared to older adults.
“Data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) show that 64.8% of middle and high school students who smoke cigars use flavored cigars, amounting to 270,000 kids,” according to the report. “Menthol flavored little cigars can also easily act as substitutes for menthol cigarettes if their sale is not prohibited at the same time.”
Menthol cigarettes are also popular among Black people who smoke, with over 80% of them using method cigarettes.
Nationally, Nichols hopes the Biden administration will approve an FDA rule to eliminate menthol and other tobacco flavorings.
More info on the national quitline can be accessed here. People can also Visit smokefree.gov or text QUIT to 47848 for help.
Copyright 2024 Side Effects Public Media. To see more, visit Side Effects Public Media.
Why artists are dropping out of the Great American State Fair
Musicians cancel appearances at the Great American State Fair after questions over Freedom 250 and claims the July Fourth event is nonpartisan.
As several states pull out of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., questions are coming up closer to home — Is Ohio still participating?
Massachusetts and North Carolina won’t participate in the fair, according to USA TODAY. Reports also indicate that Connecticut, Illinois, Maine and Oregon are also expected to skip the event, with some states citing a combination of financial and political concerns as reasons for opting out.
Here’s what we know about Ohio’s role in the event so far.
Is Ohio skipping the 2026 Great American State Fair?
Ohio has confirmed its participation with a booth titled “Ohio: The Heart of it All,” which showcases state parks and childhood development. The governor’s office began the planning process for the booth in February, shortly after the Great American State Fair was announced, said Lisa Peterson director of communications in the governor’s office.
The Great American State Fair, organized by Freedom 250, is a 16-day exposition that will be displayed on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10.
Additionally, Ohio will host a stop from the “Freedom Truck,” a traveling exhibit tied to Freedom 250. The exhibit will appear at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus. Organizers describe the Freedom Truck as a mobile museum that visits existing fairs and community events, not a version of the Great American State Fair itself.
When does the ‘Freedom Truck’ stop in Ohio?
The Freedom Truck is scheduled to be at the Ohio State Fair from July 27 through Aug. 10, 2026 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
The exhibit includes interactive and historical exhibits about the founding of the United States, according to organizers.
The mobile museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, with the final day closing at 6 p.m.
What is the Great American State Fair?
The Great American State Fair is a 16-day event planned for June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Organized by Freedom 250, the fair is part of a broader effort to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with state exhibits, food, entertainment and cultural programming, according to USA TODAY.
President Donald Trump announced he will headline the Freedom 250‑organized Great American State Fair and hold an “America Is Back” rally, the publication reports.
America250 vs. Freedom 250: What’s the difference?
The Great American State Fair is part of Freedom 250, a Trump-backed initiative to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
That effort is different from America250, the official, congressionally-authorized program coordinating nationwide commemorations. Meanwhile, America 250‑Ohio, the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial, is the official state-level partner to the national America250 effort.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 23, 2026, results for each game:
Mega Millions
Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
48-51-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 20
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 8-8-0
Evening: 2-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-2-9-0
Evening: 1-6-9-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 2-9-2-5-7
Evening: 2-8-6-4-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
03-09-22-37-39
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
TEMPE, AZ – JANUARY 02: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds the football from the trophy after the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on January 2, 2006 in Tempe, Arizona. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 34-20. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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