U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Maine

Last updated November 29, 2011

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Maine spend $18.5 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Maine currently allocates $9.4 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation. This is 50.6% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks Maine 6th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Maine’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 4.8% of the estimated $197 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Recent Developments: In 1997, Maine increased its cigarette tax and used a portion of those funds to establish a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control program known as the Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine. Maine’s program is no longer funded through cigarette tax revenue. Now the state’s program, the Fund for a Healthy Maine, is funded only by proceeds from the tobacco settlement.

The FY2012 budget enacted by the Legislature and Governor Paul LePage (R) included $9.4 million for the tobacco program, slightly less than the state spent on tobacco-specific work in FY2011. The reduction in funding from FY2011 is due to a drop in MSA allocations to the state that was applied proportionally.

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

• $944,248 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 12-month grant for the period beginning April 2011 (from annual appropriations).

• $80,443 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law. 

• $701,299 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.