CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A study by the American Lung Association shows that tobacco control in South Carolina is poor and in dire need of improvements.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death and disease in South Carolina and across the country.

Over 7,000 people in the state die from tobacco use each year in South Carolina according to the American Lung Association. Current use of cigarettes is just over 12% among adults. Nearly 20% use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

The 23rd annual “State of Tobacco Control” report gives grades of “A” through “F” on current tobacco control policies. Categories include tobacco prevention and control funding, smoke-free air, tobacco taxes, access to medical services to quit smoking and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products.

South Carolina received the following grades:

• Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding: F
• Smoke-free Air: F
• Tobacco Taxes: F
• Access to Cessation Services: B
• Flavored Tobacco Products: F

State Advocacy Director Danna Thompson with the American Lung Association says they are not just looking at cigarettes, but other tobacco products like e-cigarettes or vapes. Thompson says controlling these products is critical for youth smokers.

“We are seeing illegal products on the shelves,” Thompson says. “We are seeing aggressive tactics by the tobacco industry to get youth addicted to these products and this report really highlights what the state can do to combat that.”

Association leaders are requesting changes in policy efforts, such as passing smoke free ordinances to protect workers and patrons and strengthening tobacco retail licensing laws. The call to action also asks for an increase of $1 per pack on tobacco products.

The Palmetto state ranks in the top five states with the lowest tobacco taxes, which sit at 57 cents per pack of 20.

“Higher taxes decrease youth from accessing a product and getting addicted,” Thompson says. “It also decreases the amount of adults that are using tobacco products and we have shown that throughout the years.”

The state currently funds $6 million toward control program funding. Thompson says the association is aiming for policy makers to increase funds by $5 million as they focus on policy changes in upcoming months. The proposed extra funding is still below the CDC’s recommendation of $51 million towards efforts.

Information on the report is available on the American Lung Association website.

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The USC Trojans women’s basketball team is 18-1 for the 2024-25 season. The AP Top-25 Poll has shaken up with multiple ranked teams having faced off recently. USC is ranked No. 4 in the current AP Top-25 Poll.

The Women of Troy are one of the most dominant teams this season. The only undefeated team remaining is the No.1 UCLA Bruins. As January comes to a close and teams enter the final full month of the regular season, playoff seeding is at stake.

USC has already faced five ranked opponents this season, going 4-1 against them. The lone loss was against the current No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The biggest win of the season was arguably against the current No. 6 UConn Huskies, who were No. 4 at the time of the matchup. USC went on the road to defeat one of the toughest opponents in women’s college basketball. 

Given the toughness of the Big Ten conference, USC still has three ranked opponents on their schedule. One of which is the No. 1 undefeated UCLA Bruins, who the Women of Troy will play twice still. Their first matchup will be on Feb. 13 at a sold-out Galen Center.

The Trojans will also play the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes on Feb. 8 and No. 16 Michigan State Spartans on Feb. 19. The second matchup against UCLA will close out the regular season on March 1.

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In addition to No. 1 UCLA and No. 3 Notre Dame, the South Carolina Gamecocks are ahead of the Trojans ranked at No. 2. If the Trojans defeat UCLA that should boost USC’s ranking a little higher, especially if USC can go 2-0 against their cross-town rival. 

Notre Dame and South Carolina both have four remaining ranked opponents. Two of the Gamecocks’ opponents are in the top 10, the No. 5 Texas Longhorns and the No. 6 UConn Huskies. If either or both Notre Dame and South Carolina lose, and the Trojans maintain their win streak, USC could rise in the AP-Top 25 poll by the end of the season. 

The Big Ten Tournament will take place from Mar. 5-9. This is a tough conference, one USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb has spoken highly of since the conference realignment. Gottlieb appeared on Trojans Live on Dec. 9 where she spoke about the power of the Big Ten.

“Of the 18 teams in the league currently nine, at least as of last week, like I said I haven’t looked today, but nine were ranked in the top 25. It is legit,” Gottlieb said. “We have to approach each game almost like an NCAA Tournament game. You get one shot, you don’t get to say okay let’s figure it out and get a doover when we get back home or something. That’s just not how we’re going to approach it.”

The USC Trojans are 8-0 in Big Ten conference play and on a 14-game win streak. There are currently five Big Ten teams in the AP Top-25 Poll, three of which are in the top 10. It is a tough conference, but the Trojans have done well thus far. The team will now have to close the season on a high note and hope for higher seeding in the postseason. 

The No. 4 USC Trojans women’s basketball team will next face the 18-3 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. PT at Galen Center.

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What some former South Carolina Gamecocks need to prove at the Senior Bowl.

The Senior Bowl is right around the corner. This yearly tradition invites the best seniors and draft-eligible college football players to showcase their abilities in preparation of the upcoming NFL Draft. Three Gamecocks will be playing in the game with hopes to prove NFL scouts that they are ready for the next level. Here is what each Gamecock participant needs to prove on February 1:

EDGE, Kyle Kennard

  Defensive Tackle, T.J. Sanders

Linebacker, Demetrius Knight Jr. 

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