RSM Gets an 'F' On Tobacco Report Card

The American Lung Association slapped a big red F on the city's amenability to those wishing a cigarette smoke-free environment.

The health organization on Wednesday released its annual State of Tobacco Control report, and Rancho Santa Margarita was at the back of the pack. RSM received an F grade, along with 30 other Orange County cities, including the unincorporated area of OC.

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The 2012 report card listed only four cities in the county that fared better on their overall grade: Laguna Hills (C), Laguna Woods (C), Santa Ana (D) and Seal Beach (D). A year ago, Seal Beach was not on that list; the other cities' grades remained the same.

The report was based on a city's provision for smoke-free outdoor air, smoke-free housing and reducing sales of tobacco products. In all three areas, RSM received a failing grade.

• Check the State of Tobacco Control pdf that's attached and see results for Orange County cities on pages 55-56.

In total, there were 16 areas within those three categories in which cities could have scored up to 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, etc. An example would be how well a city maintains smoke-free entryways (smoking prohibited within 20 feet or more for an A grade) or public events. RSM did not score a point in any of those sub-categories.

Other cities that failed to get a single positive mark in the report: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, San Juan Capistrano, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.