State needs to fully fund tobacco cessation, prevention programs

Between 2016 and last year, Connecticut took in approximately $473 million dollars from the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and the revenue from cigarette taxes but spent zero dollars on tobacco cessation and prevention programs; our state ranked last in the nation for funding of tobacco control programs. While we are grateful for the governor’s commitment of $12 million to fund CDC best practices for comprehensive tobacco control programs last year, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is dismayed and disappointed that the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget cuts future funding in half before this program has even had time to be implemented.

If you are doubting the need for tobacco cessation and education funding, I want you to think about the fact that 56,000 of children and youth aged 0-17 living in Connecticut right now are projected to die from smoking if changes are not made to modify current behavior. Big tobacco spends $60.3 million a year marketing to Connecticut residents and the annual health care costs in Connecticut caused directly by smoking is $2.36 billion. Our state needs to fight the tobacco industry’s influence in Connecticut and education is key to prevention with regard to nicotine addiction. Connecticut residents need our legislature to fund tobacco cessation and education programs consistently and continually, and at a level that meets the CDC’S best practices.

I urge our representatives and senators to prioritize the health of Connecticut residents by supporting $12 million in annual funding to fight tobacco use in our state.