Butte ain’t kickin’ butts

Local grades on tobacco policies released by the American Lung Association last week aren’t impressive.

According to the ALA’s State of Tobacco Control 2015 report, Oroville’s grade of C was the best for the region. Chico and Paradise received overall D grades and Biggs, Gridley and the unincorporated areas received F’s. Where Oroville seemed to shine was in the category of reducing tobacco sales—it got an A where the rest of the county got failing grades. Chico did best in offering smoke-free entryways and recreation areas, but still got only a C for overall smoke-free outdoor air. The rest of the county, again, got F’s.

Butte County wasn’t alone—statewide, efforts to curb tobacco use have stagnated, according to an ALA press release. “Once a proactive leader in tobacco control efforts, California now falls behind in protecting residents from tobacco,” it reads.