U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Arizona

Last updated November 29, 2011

  FY2012 FY2011
State Rank 14 16
State Spending on Tobacco Prevention $18 million $19.8 million
% of CDC Recommended Spending
($68.1 million)		 26.4% 29.1%

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Arizona spend $68.1 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Arizona currently allocates $18.0 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation. This is 26.4% of the CDC's recommendation and ranks Arizona 14th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Arizona's spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 4.1% of the estimated $443 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Recent Developments: In 1994, 2002 and 2006, Arizona voters approved ballot initiatives to increase the state tobacco tax rates and have a portion of the revenue fund a comprehensive Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (TEPP). No settlement funds are used for tobacco prevention.

State spending on tobacco prevention and cessation for FY2012 will be $18 million, a slight decrease from the $19.8 million spent in FY2011.

In addition, Arizona is receiving $2.0 million in federal funds dedicated to tobacco prevention and control:

  • $1.3 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 12-month grant for the period beginning April 2011 (from annual appropriations).

  • 118,909 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law.

  • $594,227 from the Food and Drug Administration for enforcement of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, including the provision regarding tobacco sales to minors.