We’ve heard it for decades. West Virginia is among the unhealthiest states in the country — and for many reasons that are preventable. Among those reasons is our inability to kick tobacco. A new report by Truth Initiative says that makes us part of what the group refers to as “Tobacco Nation,” 12 states in which both adults and young adults have a 50% higher smoking prevalence and smoke many more cigarettes per capita annually than those in other states.

Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia make up “Tobacco Nation,” meaning those residents could end up smoking nearly 500 more cigarettes per year than the average in the rest of the country.

Truth Initiative, with HealthPartners Institute ,d has eveloped an outline for turning around such geographic disparities.

“More tobacco policy spending paired with higher cigarette taxes targeted to areas with the highest smoking prevalence can reduce disparities in tobacco use that have existed for decades, bringing adult smoking in Tobacco Nation down to the national average and resulting in considerable health and economic benefits,” the group says.

But if it’s that simple, why hasn’t such a change been made here in the Mountain State? According to Truth Initiative, “Disparities in tobacco prevention and cessation measures in Tobacco Nation are not the fault of the region’s residents. … Instead, strong tobacco policies have not gained traction due to a combination of factors, including lack of political will, powerful tobacco industry interference in legislation, and prevention of local jurisdictions from adopting strong tobacco prevention and cessation measures.”

If the people want the change, how can there be a lack of political will?

We know tobacco use is killing us. We know there are measures that could reduce the number of deaths. Where is the disconnect?

Lawmakers must consider whether their show of doing what is best for West Virginians has been nothing but smoke and mirrors.

Then, they’d better get to work.