‘It’s everywhere’
Parents struggle to deal with tobacco, vaping as Michigan efforts lag
Michigan is big on protecting its trees, lakes and forests. However, when it comes to programs that prevent kids from using tobacco products and helping tobacco users quit, little attention or funding is given.
“You have to have a license to sell Christmas trees but not tobacco products,” said Dr. Brittany Tayler, internist and pediatrician at Hurley Medical Center, assistant professor at the Pediatric Public Health Initiative at Michigan State University and cochair of Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance, following the release of a new report showing how much funding each state provides for tobacco prevention programs and regulations.
Michigan ranks dead
last along with
West Virginia.
According to the report released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights and Truth Initiative the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that Michigan allocate $110.6 million each year to fully protect residents.
In contrast the state allocates $1.8 million.
That’s 1.6% of what’s recommended by the CDC.
“We urge lawmakers to prioritize the health of Michiganders by investing in tobacco prevention programs,“Tayler said. “This is not an area where Michigan should be last in the country. We hope this lastplace ranking is a wake-up call for the need for a comprehensive policy solution in our state.”
The numbers
The report shows Maine is the only state to fully fund the tobacco prevention and cessation programs at levels recommended by the CDC. Eight states provide at least 50% of the CDC’s recommended funding, while 31 states and the District of Columbia are spending less than a quarter of the CDC recommendation.
The data for annual state funding amounts recommended by the CDC according to population show the top five states to be:
1. Maine, which is funding $15.9 million as recommended by the CDC.
2. Utah: $15.4 million
3. Oklahoma: $32.6 million
4. Delaware: $9.7 million
5. Oregon: $28.8 million
The top five states spending the least amount of money on prevention programs in addition to Michigan include:
1. West Virginia: $451,000 2. Georgia: $2.1 million 3. Texas: $6 million 4. Alabama: $1.7 million 5. Nevada: $950,000
Further findings in the report show tobacco companies spend nearly $12 to market tobacco products for every $1 states invest to reduce tobacco use. According to the most recent data from the Federal Trade