Bill would allocate more funds to fight tobacco use

[hrmjustin]

By MATTHEW L. McKIBBEN

As funding for programs to control tobacco use in the state have been cut in recent years, two lawmakers are bashing this year's budget and calling for the passage of legislation that would allocate more money to help current tobacco users quit and keep children from starting to smoke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the state spend $203 million annually to combat tobacco use but this year the state will spend only $39 million to address the problem.

The state's highest smoking rates were generally found in upstate counties, according to data from the National Cancer Institute.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-05-05-87806.113122-Bill-would-allocate-more-funds-to-fight-tobacco-use.html