Lung Association: Hawaii must do more to help smokers quit

While Hawaii and other states have made improvements in making sure smokers have access to resources to help them quit, a new American Lung Association report says more needs to be done.

The report, “Helping Smokers Quit: State Cessation Coverage 2010,” praises Hawaii for requiring its contracted managed-care organizations to provide near-comprehensive coverage of smoking cessation treatments. However, the state does not require comprehensive cessation coverage for its private health plans or Medicaid recipients, the American Lung Association in Hawaii said in a statement.

Offering comprehensive cessation coverage means making sure that individuals have access to seven medications and three types of counseling that are recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to the American Lung Association in Hawaii.