Topeka ? With a C, the Kansas cigarette tax received the state’s only passing grade in a report from the American Lung Assn. assessing tobacco control efforts.

Like many other states, Kansas’ efforts to provide smoke-free air, curb youth access and prevent the use of tobacco were not strong enough, according to the State of Tobacco Control 2002 report, released Tuesday. The report is a first-ever for the association and gave Kansas F’s in those three categories.

“We are truly unhappy,” said Judy Keller, the association’s state director. “We can surely do better. Imagine how you’d feel if your son or daughter came home with 3 F’s and a C.”

The state earned its highest grade for its cigarette tax, 79 cents a pack as of Jan 1. In July, the tax increased to 70 cents from 24 cents.

For every 10 percent a cigarette tax is raised, there’s a 7 percent decrease in teen smoking, Keller said. About 4 percent of adults stop.

One of Keller’s biggest complaints is that 46 states haven’t wholly dedicated money from 1998’s $206 billion settlement of lawsuits they filed against tobacco companies to preventing tobacco use.