U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Connecticut

Last updated December 04, 2012

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Connecticut spend $43.9 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program.  Connecticut currently allocates $6.0 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation.  This is 13.7% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks Connecticut 23rd among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs.  Connecticut’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 1.1% of the estimated $535 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Background and Recent Developments: Connecticut’s tobacco settlement payments are folded into the general fund and allocated through the biennial budget process.  In FY2009, the legislature changed the rules governing expenditure of funds from the state’s Tobacco and Health Trust Fund (THTF).  The Trust Fund’s Board is now able to spend up to 50 percent of the amount the legislature adds to the principal Fund balance, if any, in that year, in addition to any interest that the fund has accumulated.  The Board has recommended that the state spend $6 million for tobacco prevention and cessation programs during FY2013.  This amount still needs to be approved by the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Public Health.

Connecticut is spending minimal amounts on tobacco prevention despite the fact that the state is receiving more tobacco-generated revenue than ever before as a result of a 40-cent cigarette tax increase, which went into effect on July 1, 2011, bringing Connecticut’s total cigarette tax to $3.40 a pack.  In addition, the excise tax on snuff tobacco increased from 55 cents to one dollar per ounce and the tax rate on all other tobacco products was increased to 50 percent of the wholesale price.

In addition, Connecticut is receiving $1.9 million in federal funds dedicated to tobacco prevention and control:

• $1.0 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).

• $190,503 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law for the period beginning August 1, 2012. 

• $633,417 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.