12-05-00: CT Ranks DEAD LAST in Tobacco Prevention Programs

ANNOUNCEMENT
December 5, 2000

DEAD LAST...

That's where Connecticut places in the amount of tobacco settlement funds it spends on prevention programs for kids. Connecticut currently spends only 1.6% of the tobacco settlement money for tobacco prevention programs. Among the 42 states that have allocated settlement funds, our state ties for last place.

Connecticut Kids Can't Wait.

Each year:

	12,000 kids get hooked on smoking.
	5,200 people die of smoking related illnesses.
	3.3 million packs of cigarettes are illegally sold to kids.
	The average smoking age is 11 years old, the earliest in the nation.
	56,000 kids alive today will have their lives cut short because of tobacco-related disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an effective tobacco prevention program for the state should cost between $21.2 million and $53.9 million annually.

These programs work. In Massachusetts, high school smoking has dropped 15 percent since 1995. In Florida, middle school smoking was cut 40 percent in just two years.

How Much Tobacco Settlement Money Does Connecticut Receive?

Under the terms of the 1998 multi-state settlement, the tobacco industry paid Connecticut an initial amount of $44.6 million in 1998.

In 2000, and each year after, Connecticut will receive payments of between $119 and $158 million.

Where Did the Money Go?

During 1999-2000, the State used the almost $300 million in tobacco settlement funds on a variety of state programs. $39 million was placed in a Tobacco and Health Trust Fund for future use for tobacco and health programs - with no guarantee that these funds would be available for programs to stop kids from smoking.

What Should We Do?

Everyone should contact their state legislators and the Governor's office and urge that $20 million of the tobacco settlement funds be allocated to tobacco prevention programs for the children of our state.

Click here to find the name, address, telephone and email for state legislators and Governor Rowland.

MATCH (Mobilize Against Tobacco for Children's Health) is a statewide coalition of more than 120 organizations established in 1995 for the purpose of helping Connecticut's kids stay tobacco free. Peg Perille, Connecticut PTA's Health and Welfare Commission represents the Connecticut PTA on this coalition.

For more information, visit the MATCH website, contact the state office or Peg Perille.