Anti-tobacco programs underfunded
Only three states adequately fund tobacco prevention, according to a report released Thursday by a coalition of public health organizations.
Idaho isn’t one of those states. Neither is Washington – although the Evergreen State did rank in the Top 10. Idaho ranked No. 36.
The annual report ranks states based on how each state’s spending compares to the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s recommendations for tobacco prevention funding. According to the report, most states fund tobacco prevention at less than half the recommended level. A handful of states provide no funding at all.
Though states have received a record $20 billion in revenue from tobacco settlements and taxes, according to the report, funding for tobacco prevention has been cut. At the same time, tobacco companies have dedicated more money to marketing, the report said.
“A Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement Six Years Later,” was prepared by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Lung Association.
The report said tobacco companies spend $23 marketing tobacco products for every dollar states spend for anti-smoking programs.
William Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, said in a press release Thursday that the funding gap is inexcusable.
“It’s simply shameful that tobacco companies spend more in a single day to market their products than 46 states and DC spend in an entire year on tobacco prevention,” Corr said. “The states lack excuses for their failure to do more because they have more tobacco revenue than ever to do the job.”
He said there’s also more evidence that tobacco prevention programs work – reducing smoking, saving lives and lowering smoking-caused health care costs.
A spokesman for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said there’s no disputing the state’s ranking.
“We could always use more money for tobacco prevention,” Public Information Officer Tom Shanahan said. “You have to look, too, at how effective you are with the money you spend.”
Shanahan said a 2003 survey by the Center for Disease Control reported that 18.9 percent of Idahoans are regular smokers. He said the state ranked lower than the national average of 21.7 percent.
The percentage of Idahoans who smoke has declined from 22 percent in 2000, he added.
Some of the drop in smokers could be because Idahoans tend to be very active and outdoorsy, Shanahan said, but he added that some of the state’s anti-tobacco efforts also could be making a difference.
Most of the state’s prevention efforts target the 18- to 24-year-old age group, he said. The state and Blue Cross of Idaho have teamed to provide counseling for people trying to quit smoking. Those who call the “QUITline” at (800) 280-2265 can talk to a counselor, request information and can get vouchers to help purchase pharmaceuticals to help them stop smoking.
Smokers can also log on to the Idaho QuitNet at www.idahoquitnet.com for help creating a “quit smoking plan” or to get advice from counselors.