If appropriated, additional funds will be used for:

• Expanding the capacity of health and educational departments to build and evaluate comprehensive tobacco control programs
• Developing and promoting health communication campaigns for high-risk audiences including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and blue-collar workers
• Expanding school health programs that equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to avoid using tobacco
• Broadening the ability of the air toxicants laboratory to measure toxic substances in tobacco products and in people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

What about the big state tobacco settlement -- Isn’t there plenty of money for tobacco control?

The American public rightfully assumed that the states would use a significant portion of their settlement money to fund comprehensive and effective tobacco prevention programs. Unfortunately, more than a year after all 50 states settled their lawsuits against tobacco companies, only eight states have provided enough new funding for truly comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

The programs in the eight states that made a significant commitment hold great promise for making a real difference in reducing the number of children who start to smoke and the number of Americans who die from tobacco use. The tragedy is that these states are the exceptions rather than the rule. Unless this trend is reversed, tobacco will continue to exact its toll on the lives and pocketbooks of Americans in the large majority of the states.

The master settlement also dedicates funds each year for the American Legacy Foundation, to be used for carrying out a nationwide, sustained advertising and education program to counter youth tobacco use and educate consumers about the causes and prevention of diseases associated with tobacco use. It is critical that we realize that the American Legacy Foundation cannot do it alone. Its public education campaign is a significant step in the fight against tobacco addiction however, this program is only a drop in the bucket of $4.2 billion which the CDC estimates is needed each year to implement comprehensive prevention programs and counter the estimated $5.6 billion the tobacco industry spends each year to market and promote its products.