Immediate Action Needed to Save Tobacco Prevention Funding

March 8, 1999

ISSUE:

Early this week, the full Senate will vote on a bill that waives 100 percent of the federal share of the tobacco settlements with the states--without any money earmarked for critical tobacco prevention programs. If this passes, there is no guarantee that state usage of the money will include funding programs to prevent youth from using tobacco products.

ACTION:

Contact your Senators immediately. Request that before they vote on the fiscal year 1999 supplemental appropriations bill (S. 346), they consider the potential effect on the youth of this nation. Urge them to make sure that the money does not go back to the states without requiring the states to spend money to protect children and youth.

You can reach your Senator's office by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. CALL TODAY!

BACKGROUND:

The debate over whether the federal government should receive some reimbursement from the tobacco settlements to the states is based on the Administration's claim that Medicaid dollars were used to treat patients with tobacco-related diseases. An amendment to the Senate fiscal 1999 supplemental appropriations bill was introduced by Senators Hutchison (R-Tex.) and Graham (D-Fla.) to keep all the settlement costs, noting that the federal government was not involved in the lawsuits.

Some advocates for tobacco prevention among youth argue that the federal government has a legitimate claim to a portion of the tobacco settlement dollars and Congress should ensure that these funds are used to protect children from tobacco-related illnesses. Investing in tobacco prevention can save lives and money. Statewide tobacco prevention strategies work and they can reduce tobacco use. Several states already have tobacco control campaigns and have reduced overall smoking levels within their borders at a faster rate than elsewhere in the country. While youth smoking rates were rising nationwide, they went down or increased much more slowly in these states.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY GUIDANCE:

The 1998 General Assembly adopted a resolution on "Tobacco Use." The resolution contains references to deterring young people form initiating tobacco use and to reducing access of children to tobacco.