Maine’s anti-smoking efforts are getting results and getting noticed. High cigarette taxes, dedicated money for programs to prevent tobacco use and harsh ads have worked to cut the state’s adult smoking rate by a third and cut the teen smoking rate more than in half. It is a model other states should follow.

Maine was the first state to garner straight A’s from the American Lung Association in its annual assessment of smoking prevention efforts. Maine got perfect grades for tobacco prevention funding, smoke-free air, cigarette taxes and youth access. Most states received F grades in the first category.

In 1996, 39 percent of high school students said they were smokers, among the highest teen smoking rates in the country. Thirty percent of adults were smokers. Today, 21 percent of Maine adults smoke, compared to 20 percent nationally. More dramatically, Maine’s teen smoking rate has dropped to 16 percent.

The state made these huge gains by tacking smoking on many fronts. First, the state set aside much of the money it received from a national tobacco settlement for smoking prevention. Most state have used the money for other purposes, mostly balancing their books during tough economic times. Last year, Maine set aside more than $15 million for tobacco prevention and control. That is a third more than the minimum recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Over time, the state has also expanded smoking bans to now cover restaurants and bars and some social clubs.

At the same time, lawmakers have used financial pressure to encourage people to stop smoking. Last year, lawmakers doubled the state’s cigarette tax from $1 to $2 per pack. It was the largest tobacco tax increase among the states in 2005 and Maine’s taxes are now twice as high as the national average.

“Maine’s the poster boy for the country. It’s been very aggressive, and the policies are having an impact,” said John Kirkwood, CEO of the American Lung Association.

Maine’s efforts will save lives and money. Smoking costs the state more than $550 million a year in health care costs. Tobacco is responsible for 440,000 deaths a year nationally with smoking accounting for one-third of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of lung cancer deaths.

Shrinking these numbers was not easy and requires continued effort. It is a model that is catching on – even on tobacco-growing states. Kentucky, which received the second lowest grades, recently restricted smoking in government offices and raised its tobacco tax for the first time in 35 years, from three cents to 30 cents.

With continued financial and political support, Maine’s anti-smoking efforts can continue to lead the way.