State ranks low for tobacco protection funding
Dec 18, 2006, 17:12
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A coalition of public health organizations ranks South Dakota 40th in the nation for the amount of money spent to protect kids from tobacco. The $700,000 that it spends on anti-smoking efforts is just 8 percent of the nearly $9 million that's recommended for such programs, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Lung Association. A law that goes on the books in January will provide a significant boost for tobacco prevention efforts. It will increase the state tax on cigarettes by $1 a pack and dedicate $5 million for programs that cause people to quit smoking or using other tobacco products, or deter them from starting. "It's critical that South Dakota step up its tobacco prevention efforts because the tobacco companies are spending record amounts to market their deadly and addictive products," said William V. Corr, Executive Director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Tobacco prevention is a smart investment that protects kids, saves lives and saves money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs." According to the coalition's report, only Maine, Colorado and Delaware fund tobacco prevention programs at minimum levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, and 14 other states fund tobacco prevention programs at half the minimum levels recommended by the CDC.
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