LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The report card is in and Kentucky earns an “F.”

The American Lung Association has given Kentucky a failing grade on its recently released “smoking report card.” The report ranks states on items like smoking prevention efforts, smoke free air and prevalence of flavored tobacco products.

Dr. John McConnell is a pulmonary specialist for Norton Healthcare and few doctors in Kentucky are as experienced in the field and as knowledgeable on the impact smoking has on Kentuckians.

“We see a lot of very young people with problems with lung cancer. It’s amazing. In Kentucky they start a lot earlier, so by the time they are in their late 30s, I’ve seen people with lung cancer,” McConnell explained.

Smoking is very prevalent in the Bluegrass State. The American Lung Association has handed out its report card for all states in America and gave Kentucky an “F” grade overall. .

“We’re one of 12 in the country who does not have an indoor smoking ban for the whole state,” McConnell added. Kentucky received an “F” for tobacco prevention, smoke-free air, tobacco taxes and access to tobacco-flavored products.

Kentucky certainly isn’t alone in the failing grade. In fact, most states received a D or F. .

“We have some of the lowest taxes on cigarettes, which, it’s very clear and all of the research shows the higher the tax on the cigarettes the lower number of people smoke,” said McConnell.

The state earned a “B” for access to medications and counseling to help quit, the one category where Kentucky performed well.

“Medicaid does a great job, our state, people who end up on that plan end up getting very good care and assess to smoking cessation,” McConnell explained. 42 years in the field and he has no intentions of retiring anytime soon.

Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois also received an “F” grade by the American Lung Association.