San Luis Obispo leads efforts in the county to reduce tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association.

Every year, the group issues a report card that grades all the city and county governments in the state on their efforts to discourage smoking. San Luis Obispo was given a grade of B, the highest in San Luis Obispo County.

Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and the unincorporated areas of the county were given grades of C. Morro Bay received a D grade, while Atascadero, Paso Robles and Pismo Beach all received failing grades.

The grades were based on each government’s policies for creating smoke-free outdoor environments, availability of smoke-free housing and reducing sales of tobacco products.

“No matter how big or small the city or county, local tobacco control policies save lives and money,” said Marsha Ramos, chairwoman of the American Lung Association in California governing board. “Safeguarding our communities from the negative consequences of tobacco is critical.”

Read the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2013 report »