U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Kentucky

Last updated November 29, 2011

  FY2012 FY2011
State Rank 36 39
State Spending on Tobacco Prevention $2.2 million $2.6 million
% of CDC Recommended Spending
($57.2 million)		 3.9% 4.5%

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Kentucky spend $57.2 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program.  Kentucky currently allocates $2.2 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation.  This is 3.9% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks Kentucky 36th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs.  Kentucky’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 0.6% of the estimated $389 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Recent Developments: Kentucky’s tobacco settlement payments are governed by a 2000 law that directed the funds into three accounts – 50 percent for tobacco growers and rural development initiatives, 25 percent for a comprehensive early childhood development program, and 25 percent for public health initiatives – 10 percent of which goes to tobacco and substance abuse prevention programs. Oversight boards were created to oversee the resulting programs.

In FY2012, state funding for tobacco prevention and cessation is $2.2 million, less than was spent in FY2011.  In addition, the state will support tobacco cessation treatment for Medicaid enrollees who want help with quitting.    

Kentucky is spending less than the CDC-recommended amount on tobacco prevention despite the fact that the state is receiving more tobacco-generated revenue than ever before as a result of an increase in the cigarette tax, from 30 to 60 cents a pack, and doubling of the tax rates on other tobacco products enacted in 2009. None of the new revenue from the cigarette tax increase is being used for tobacco prevention and cessation.

 In addition, Kentucky is receiving $1.7 million in federal funds dedicated to tobacco prevention and control:

  • $1.1 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).

  • $102,279 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law. 

  • $428,278 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.