AUGUSTA -- The American Lung Association says Maine is not doing as well as in years past in its tobacco prevention and control efforts.

The association's State of Tobacco Control Report released today shows Maine getting B's and C's in "classes" where it used to get straight A's.

The reason: Program funding cuts, says Edward Miller, executive director of the American Lung Association of Maine.

"When tobacco programs are slashed and devastated due to shortsighted budget-balancing tactics, the biggest losers are our children and young adults," Miller said in a prepared statement.

Maine received an A for Smoke-Free Air, but went down to a B grade for Excise Tax Rate and dropped to two C's - one for Treatment Services and the other for Program Funding.

Miller said now is not the time for the state to turn its back on Maine's tobacco program.

More discussion and information on the matter will be presented during a 10 a.m. press conference today in Augusta.