Hawaii got a D last year for the amount it spent on tobacco prevention and control, a significant drop from the B grade it got in 2008, and it got an F, again, for its support of programs to help people quit smoking.

No state received straight A's on the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2009 report card. Six received all F's: Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

“;We are concerned that our grade dropped significantly in the recommended amount for prevention and control spending,”; said Jean Evans, ALA Hawaii executive director. “;And we are concerned that this year there will be some more cuts.”;

Spending for tobacco prevention and control in Hawaii dropped last year to 58 percent from 74 percent of the amount recommended by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ALAH said.

That was partially because the 2009 Legislature reduced the amount of money going into the fund from the master tobacco settlement agreement, it said.

“;Although the report card gives grades for the adequacy of tobacco control programs, this exercise isn't academic,”; Evans said. “;The consequences of success or failure are life or death.”;

In other states where money has been cut for tobacco control and prevention, “;smoking rates have gone right back up,”; she said. “;It is very costly to the state and also very costly to the health and well-being of our population, especially our children.

“;If we can prevent them from smoking now, they won't be smoking the rest of their lives. Smoking certainly is a major cause of preventable deaths in Hawaii and the rest of the nation.”;

Hawaii drew a B on the report card for cigarette taxes because it has a $2.60-per-pack tax on cigarettes—fifth highest in the country—and the tax is due to go to $2.80 in July, the lung association said. States with taxes of $2.68 and higher received A grades.

Hawaii earned an A for smoke-free air, largely because of laws banning smoking at government and private work sites, schools, child care facilities, restaurants and bars, retail stores and recreation and cultural facilities, ALA said.

Nationally, the ALA said, smoking failed to decline in 2008 for the first time in years, staying at about 20 percent, and 46 million adults smoke. Tobacco companies launched new products to target kids and replace dying customers, the association said.