Updated: 10:17 PM CST Feb 4, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript PREVENTING SMOKING. TOBACCO USE AND COVID-19 CAN BE A DEADLY COMBINATION. >> THE REPORT CARD IS EASY TO READ, STRAIGHT F’S FOR ALABAMA WHEN IT COMES TO SMOKING AND SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMS. >> THAT IS BAD NEWS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID CASES. >> IN THE U.S., WE HAVE ABOUT A 14% ADULT SMOKING RATE. IN ALABAMA, IT IS ABOUT 20.2%. >> DR. EMMA DELANEY SAYS CHRONIC CONDITIO AFFECT THEM, INDEED. THE DECLINE IN SMOKING HAS SLOWED. >> WE KNOW THAT SMOKING MAKES YOU AT A HIGHER RISK TO SEVERE COMPETITIONS FOR COVID. I THINK THIS IS THE PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO QUIT SMOKING. >> IT PUTS PATIENTS AT HIGHER RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19. I THINK THAT IS WHY WE ARE SEEING THAT HIGHER DEATH RATE. >> MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE ADULTS IS NO SMOKING HERE AND ONE IN FIVE HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE USING E-CIGARETTES. THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON TOBACCO PROGRAMS AND START TAXING ELECTRONIC CIGARE