Grade Summary: Massachusetts

Tobacco Prevention Control and Spending

• FY2012 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: $4,150,703
• FY2012 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $5,751,110*
• FY2012 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $9,901,813
• CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $90,000,000
• Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 11.0%

*Includes regular funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as tobacco-related grants to states and communities from federal stimulus and health care reform funds.

Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions

• Government Workplaces: Prohibited
• Private Workplaces: Prohibited
• Schools: Prohibited
• Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
• Restaurants: Prohibited
• Bars: Prohibited (allowed in smoking bars)
• Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Prohibited
• Retail Stores: Prohibited
• Recreational/Cultural Facilities: Prohibited
• Penalties: Yes
• Enforcement: Yes
• Preemption: No

Citation: MASS. GEN. LAWS ch. 270, § 22 (2004).

Cigarette Tax

• Tax rate per pack of 20: $2.51

Cessation

Overview of State Cessation Coverage

State Medicaid Program:

• Medications: Covers all 7 recommended cessation medications*
• Counseling: Covers individual and group counseling
• Barriers to Coverage: Prior authorization required for some medications and minimal co-payments required

State Employee Health Plan(s):

• Medications: Coverage of all 7 recommended cessation medications* varies by health plan
• Counseling: Coverage of individual, group and phone counseling varies by health plan
• Barriers to Coverage: Barriers to coverage vary by health plan**

State Quitline:

• Investment Per Smoker: $1.26; CDC recommends an investment of $10.53/smoker

Other Cessation Provisions:

• Private Insurance Mandate: No provision

Citation: See State Tobacco Cessation Coverage page for specific sources.

*The 7 recommended cessation medications are: NRT Gum, NRT Patch, NRT Nasal Spray, NRT Inhaler, NRT Lozenge, Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban). **Barriers could include: Limits on duration, annual limits on quit attempts, requiring prior authorization, requiring co-payments, requiring using one or more cessation treatments before using others and/or requiring the use of counseling to receive medications.