*For FY2009, federal spending refers to a nine-month grant provided to the states by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the period beginning July 2008. In April 2009, the CDC will transition to a new funding agreement with the states that will provide the usual 12-month grant.
Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Kentucky spend $57.2 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Kentucky currently receives $3.7 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation, which includes both state and federal funds. This is 6.5% of the CDC's recommendation and ranks Kentucky 41st among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Kentucky's spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 1.3% of the estimated $294 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.
Recent Developments: Kentucky's tobacco settlement payments are governed by a 2000 law that directed the funds into three accounts — 50 percent for tobacco growers and rural development initiatives, 25 percent for public health initiatives including tobacco prevention programs and 25 percent for a comprehensive early childhood development program. Oversight boards were created to develop strategic plans for spending the funds and to oversee the resulting programs.
For FY2009, Kentucky will receive $3.7 million in federal and state funds for tobacco prevention programs, the same amount that was spent in FY2008.