Grade Summary: Washington

Tobacco Prevention Control and Spending

• FY2012 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: $3,288,000
• FY2012 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $6,944,368*
• FY2012 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $10,232,368
• CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $67,300,000
• Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 15.2%

*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.

Thumbs down for Washington for spending little state money on tobacco control programs despite smoking costing the state over $3.7 billion in economic costs each year.

Smokefree Air

Overview of State Smoking Restrictions

• Government Workplaces: Prohibited
• Private Workplaces: Prohibited
• Schools: Prohibited
• Childcare Facilities: Prohibited
• Restaurants: Prohibited
• Bars: Prohibited
• Casinos/Gaming Establishments: Prohibited (tribal establishments exempt)
• Retail Stores: Prohibited
• Recreational/Cultural Facilities: Prohibited
• Penalties: Yes
• Enforcement: Yes
• Preemption: Yes

Citation: WASH. REV. CODE §§ 70.160.010 et seq. (2005).

Cigarette Tax

• Tax rate per pack of 20: $3.025

Cessation

Overview of State Cessation Coverage

State Medicaid Program:

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

State Employee Health Plan(s):

• Medications: All health plans cover NRT Gum, NRT Patch and Varenicline (Chantix); coverage for NRT Nasal spray, NRT Inhaler, NRT Lozenge and Bupropion (Zyban) vary by health plan
• Counseling: All health plans cover online counseling; some health plans cover group and/or phone counseling
• Barriers to Coverage: Use of counseling to get medications required for all health plans; some plans have annual limits on quit attempts, require prior authorization and/or require co-payments

State Quitline:

• Investment Per Smoker: $2.48; 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 or lifetime 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.