GOVERNOR DEFENDS STATE’S EFFORTS TO CURB SMOKING
$950,000 in state funds, on top of $927,208 federal funding, for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which the study said is well under what is necessary to prevent and reduce tobacco use in the state.
The federal Centers for Disease Control recommends Nevada spend $30 million on tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Nevada spends $1.87 million annually, or just 6.3 percent of the recommended amount.
“One of the reasons we have not made much progress on the areas we’re focusing on is simply lack of funding,” Rucker said. “Funding is grossly misappropriated. Our dollars that go toward tobacco control are very minimal compared to other states.”
Despite what the study suggested, Sandoval’s office said he had spearheaded several initiatives aimed at curbing tobacco use.
“The governor has championed multiple policies, which have contributed to more Nevadans living healthier, happier lives. Currently the Department of Health and Human Services is exploring federal financial participation to match Medicaid funds to curb tobacco use,” said Mari St. Martin, Sandoval’s spokesperson. “Additionally, because the governor opted into the Medicaid expansion, more Nevadans have access to Managed Care Organization’s tobacco prevention programs, and the state is also administering more block-grant funding specifically targeting youth tobacco prevention efforts.”
During the 2015 legislative session, Sandoval signed into law a bill increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack with the intention of reducing cigarette use, St. Martin said. Tobacco sales in Nevada, everything from chewing tobacco to cigarettes, are at $245 million per year.
Protecting and expanding the Nevada Clean Air Act, prohibiting smoking in all indoor structures, is a key part to improving the state’s grade on the report, Rucker said. That could be easier said than in a state that relies heavily on gaming and a gambler’s desire to smoke and drink while playing.
“Smoke-free laws don’t hurt business,” he said. “Just because (smoking) is part of our culture here, it’s doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.”
California graded out the best in the report with three A’s, two B’s and a C. Four states — Mississippi, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia — received all F’s.