Grade Summary: West Virginia

Tobacco Prevention Control and Spending

• FY2012 State Funding for Tobacco Control Programs: $5,650,000
• FY2012 Federal Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $1,559,194*
• FY2012 Total Funding for State Tobacco Control Programs: $7,209,194
• CDC Best Practices State Spending Recommendation: $27,800,000
• Percentage of CDC Recommended Level: 25.9%

*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: Restricted
• Private Workplaces: No provision
• Schools: Prohibited (public schools only)
• Childcare Facilities: Restricted
• Restaurants: No provision
• Bars: No provision
• Casinos/Gaming Establishments: No provision
• Retail Stores: No provision
• Recreational/Cultural Facilities: No provision
• Penalties: Yes
• Enforcement: No
• Preemption: No

Citation: W. VA. CODE §§ 16-9A-4 (1987) & 31-20-5b (1997); WV Div. of Personnel Policy, Smoking Restrictions in the Workplace (2004); WV CSR §§ 64-21-10 (1997), 64-21-20 (1997) & 126-66-1 et seq. (1998).

*The Smokefree Air grade only examines state tobacco control law and does not reflect local smokefree ordinances. All 49 local boards of health and several communities in West Virginia have policies or regulations of varying strength regulating secondhand smoke exposure.

Cigarette Tax

• Tax rate per pack of 20: 55 cents

Cessation

Overview of State Cessation Coverage

State Medicaid Program:

• Medications: Coverage for NRT Gum, NRT Patch, NRT Nasal spray, NRT Inhaler, NRT Lozenge and Buproprion (Zyban) covered for members enrolled in enhanced benefits package
• Counseling: Coverage for group counseling varies by health plan
• Barriers to Coverage: Limits on duration, annual limits on quit attempts, prior authorization, co-payments and use of some treatments before using others required, and use of counseling required to get medications

State Employee Health Plan(s):

• Medications: Covers all 7 recommended cessation medications*
• Counseling: Covers individual counseling
• Barriers to Coverage: Lifetime limit on quit attempts and co-payments required for some medications

State Quitline:

• Investment Per Smoker: $2.93; 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).