Report: U.S., California Backsliding in Spending on Anti-Tobacco Efforts
California is slipping from its ranking as a national leader in anti-smoking efforts, according to a new Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids report, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports.
The report found that California spends about $79 million per year on anti-smoking efforts, which is less than 18% of the $441.9 million that CDC recommends for the state.
Even though California's anti-smoking spending has remained nearly static since 2008, its national ranking improved from 31st to 25th, partially because many other states have cut funding in response to budget pressures.
The report also found that state anti-smoking spending will account for about 4.5% of the $1.75 billion that California will collect this year from the 1998 national settlement with tobacco companies. In contrast, tobacco companies are expected to spend more than $800 million marketing their products in California this year.
Currently, California has the 32nd-lowest cigarette tax in the country, according to the report. The state last raised tobacco taxes about a decade ago ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 12/9).
National Findings
Nationwide, state spending on anti-smoking programs accounted for about 2.3% of the more than $25 billion total that states are expected to collect from the 1998 national settlement.
In fiscal year 2008-2009, state governments across the country cut anti-smoking spending by about 15%, to $567 million.
The report identified North Dakota as the only state to spend the amount recommended by CDC for smoking cessation programs (Wilson, New York Times, 12/10).
The investigators gave their lowest tobacco prevention score to Tennessee ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 12/9).
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