TOBACCO SETTLEMENT: Funds Should Be Used To Reduce Smoking
Writing in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Ian Trowbridge, director of the Salk Institute's Cancer Biology Laboratory, outlines the competing proposals for the use of San Diego's portion of the state's tobacco settlement. He notes that while the area "currently has many unmet public health needs, and the proposal to create a regional cancer center of excellence "seems reasonable and appealing," the "most appropriate use of these funds would be for education programs to reduce the prevalence of smoking, for research and for treatment of diseases directly related to tobacco use." He concludes by urging the Board of Supervisors to "seek more community input through public meetings and make the most informed decision possible" (Trowbridge, 6/29).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.