Kern County fails in tobacco control grades

Kern County received a report card filled with D's and F's Wednesday as the annual State of Tobacco Control Grades were released. 

Bakersfield received an F and Tehachapi took home Kern County's high grade with a C. 

"The truth is it's less about saying that we're doing horrible as much as saying there is a lot of improvement that can be made," said Terry Kirkindoll, Community Engagement Manager for the American Lung Association in California. 

Lindsey Freitas, the Senior Director of Tobacco Control and Lung Health for the American Lung Association in California says that while a huge improvement from an F grade is difficult, it isn't impossible.

"We actually had two communities this year that went from an overall F last year to an overall A this year and so it's totally possible," Freitas said.

Overall, Kern County had one C (Tehachapi), five D's and 6 F's. 

To see the full report, visit:

http://www.lung.org/local-content/california/our-initiatives/state-of-tobacco-control/2016/2016-state-of-tobacco-control-county-grades.html