Anti-Smoking Advocates Seek More Funding to Curb Smoking

Anti-smoking advocates are faulting political leaders in Massachusetts for not spending enough money to help curb smoking in the commonwealth.

A recent report from the American Lung Association finds Massachusetts had mixed progress on its efforts to reduce and prevent tobacco use.

The group praised Massachusetts for becoming the sixth state to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under 21 but called on Republican Gov. Charlie Baker to increase funding for tobacco prevention and control.

The group said the state's high school tobacco use rate remains at more than 24 percent.

They said the state needs to take additional steps, including programs to educate youth on why tobacco use is dangerous and increased taxes on tobacco products.