November 18, 2008 - “The 10th anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement is not a time for us to pat ourselves on the back.  Instead of praising our elected officials for a job well done, we’re witnessing a disturbing trend that must be reversed to save lives.  State officials should be ashamed of the lack of progress in financing tobacco prevention and cessation programs.  Tobacco use kills more than 400,000 Americans every year, including a third related to cardiovascular disease.  Imagine the number of lives that have been lost as states failed to own up to their responsibilities.  This report underscores the need for officials to take a hard look at the devastating impact of tobacco use in their own communities.  They must reassess their priorities and use the money for what it is intended – to fund prevention and cessation programs and break the cycle of addiction.”

“Each day, about 3,500 children smoke their first cigarette. We shouldn’t have to wait another ten years for states to take action and prevent addiction among children. The CDC-recommended funding levels for tobacco prevention and cessation should be the rule, not the exception.  Before we mark the next milestone of this agreement, state officials must make a concerted effort to use the money for programs that will not only help Americans kick the habit, but create an environment that will protect future generations from the dangers of smoking.”

 

The full report can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/

To view the chart ranking the states, please go to  www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/2009/staterankings.pdf

Read commentary by Cass Wheeler "A Disappointing Milestone in the Fight Against Tobacco" at http://news.google.com/news?btcid=695b04356202f152
 

For more information, please contact Suzanne Ffolkes at 202-785-7929.