U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Arizona

Last updated December 03, 2012

  FY2013 FY2012
State Rank 18 14
State Spending on Tobacco Prevention $15.2 million $18 million
% of CDC Recommended Spending
($68.1 million)		 22.3% 26.4%

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 $15.2 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation.  This is 22.3% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks Arizona 18th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs.  Arizona’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 3.5% of the estimated $434 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Background and 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 FY2013 will be $15.2 million, the lowest funding level since FY2007 and a 15 percent decrease from the FY2012 funding level. 

In addition, Arizona is receiving $2.2 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 2012 (from annual appropriations).

  • $337,152 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law for the period beginning August 1, 2012. 

  • $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.