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New Study Shows Fully Funded Tobacco Control Programs Reduce Number of Smokers |
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From Ascribe Newsfeed: A new study in the American Journal of Public Health adds to the overwhelming evidence that comprehensive tobacco control programs save lives. The study indicates that the U.S. would have between 2.2 million and 7.1 million fewer smokers if states had funded their tobacco control programs at the levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1995 and 2003. "It's time for Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature to marshal the political will to fully fund these life-saving programs," said Paul Knepprath, Vice President of Government Relations for the American Lung Association of California. Conducted by researchers from the CDC's Office of Smoking and Health and research and technical service firm RTI International, the study finds that state spending on comprehensive tobacco control programs results in fewer adults smoking. CDC now recommends that California spend $441.9 million each year on comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs. As the number one cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., tobacco takes a toll on the economy, health care costs, and lives. - In 2003, New York State's adult smoking rate declined by 12 percent in just one year - from 21.5 percent in 2003 to 18.9 percent in 2004 - according to the New York State Department of Health's Adult Tobacco Survey. In contrast, adult smoking rates nationwide declined just four percent from 2002 to 2003. The recommended spending levels reflect overall state population, the prevalence of tobacco use, the proportion of the population that is uninsured and a number of other factors, including the cost and complexity of conducting mass media to reach targeted audiences.
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