U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Colorado

Last updated November 29, 2011

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Colorado spend $54.4 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Colorado currently allocates $6.5 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation. This is 11.9% of the CDC's recommendation and ranks Colorado 25th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Colorado's spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 2.2% of the estimated $290 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Recent Developments: For FY2012, Colorado is scheduled to spend $6.5 million in state funds for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is slightly less than what was spent in FY2011. In April 2005, Colorado's elected leaders joined with Citizens for A Healthier Colorado to champion a cigarette tax increase, agreeing that $27 million a year in state funds would go to a comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program. As a result of this agreement, and in addition to the fact that the original tobacco settlement funds were used to fill budget shortfalls on unrelated programs, MSA dollars are no longer used to fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

In addition, Colorado is receiving $2.3 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).

• $107,458 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law.

• $914,426 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.