U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Washington, DC

Last updated December 04, 2012

  FY2013 FY2012
State Rank 35 50
State Spending on Tobacco Prevention $495,000 $0
% of CDC Recommended Spending
($10.5 )		 4.7% 0.0%

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the District of Columbia spend $10.5 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program.  The District of Columbia currently allocates $495,000 a year for tobacco prevention and cessation.  This is 4.7% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks the District of Columbia 35th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs.  The District of Columbia’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 0.7% of the estimated $76 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Background and Recent Developments: In FY2013, the District of Columbia allocated $495,000 to fund its quitline, which includes the provision of NRT. This is an increase from FY2012, in which the city appropriated no funding to tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

In addition, the District of Columbia is receiving $867,698 in federal funds dedicated to tobacco prevention and control:

  • $529,574 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 12-month grant for the period beginning April 2012 (from annual appropriations).

  • $50,000 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law for the period beginning August 1, 2012. 

  • $288,124 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.