Alliance warns against state elimination of anti-tobacco funding

The proposed elimination of all state funding for tobacco cessation and prevention programs amounts to “unilaterally disarming” Iowa’s youth smoking prevention efforts, according to the Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance. A new report released today by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin found that youth smoking rates have declined to 19.5 percent nationally, down from 27.5 percent in 1994. However, the rate of decline in youth smoking has slowed in recent years, due in large part to more than $10 billion in annual marketing by the tobacco industry, the alliance said in a release. Aggressive prevention programs by Iowa in the past decade reduced teen smoking rates from 33 percent to 20 percent, the alliance noted. Despite this progress, the Iowa House of Representatives’ proposed 2013 budget zeroes out funding for tobacco prevention programs. 

The proposed elimination of all state funding for tobacco cessation and prevention programs amounts to “unilaterally disarming” Iowa’s youth smoking prevention efforts, according to the Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance.

A new report released today by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin found that youth smoking rates have declined to 19.5 percent nationally, down from 27.5 percent in 1994. However, the rate of decline in youth smoking has slowed in recent years, due in large part to more than $10 billion in annual marketing by the tobacco industry, the alliance said in a release.

Aggressive prevention programs by Iowa in the past decade reduced teen smoking rates from 33 percent to 20 percent, the alliance noted. Despite this progress, the Iowa House of Representatives’ proposed 2013 budget zeroes out funding for tobacco prevention programs.