The report card rates trends in major smoking indicators and highlights areas which require additional efforts. Grades of A and B indicate progress, C indicates little or no change, and F signals worsening trends. While there has been some progress reducing the number of people who smoke, the rate of reduction has been slow. The Rhode Island Department of Health strongly recommends to parents not to take children into restaurants that allow smoking.
Tobacco smoke is hazardous to health.
It is especially hazardous to the health of children. Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH Director of Health 4. We must help smokers quit sooner, before they develop these deadly cancers. Rhode Island children must not be able to buy tobacco, and cigarette advertising must be strictly limited. The younger people start smoking cigarettes, the more likely they are to become strongly addicted to nicotine.