Malloy Calls Tobacco Prevention Program Funding 'Shameful'

Malloy Calls Tobacco Prevention Program Funding 'Shameful'

02.02.2006
Category: Campaign News

February 2, 2006
For Immediate Release

MALLOY CALLS IT 'SHAMEFUL' THAT CT IS RANKED 49th IN PERCENTAGE OF TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY SPENT ON TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS

Says Rell "needs to show leadership on this issue by doing the right thing"

Saying, "It's unconscionable that the wealthiest state in the nation, armed with hundreds of millions of dollars from the tobacco settlement, ranks nearly dead last in funding for tobacco prevention programs," Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Malloy, Stamford's Mayor, today criticized Governor Rell for her "lack of leadership and commitment to adequately funding common sense programs that keep our children from a habit that causes a lifetime of addiction, disease and death." He challenged the Governor to increase funding for a comprehensive tobacco control and prevention program in her upcoming budget.

According to a recently released study by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Connecticut ranks second-to-last in the nation in state funding to prevent tobacco usage. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a $21.24 million state budget for comprehensive tobacco control, but Connecticut spends only $40,000. Jerold Mande, associate director for policy at the Yale Cancer Center, says Connecticut will receive $383.6 million in tobacco revenues from the state's tobacco tax and the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement this year alone.

"When smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths, it is unconscionable that Rell only spends $40,000 on its tobacco control program," said Malloy. "What I find really disturbing is the lack of knowledge our young people have regarding the dangers of smoking. How is this possible? We have proof that smoking cessation programs directed at students work. What this clearly shows is there is no comprehensive program to protect the health of Connecticut's children."

The Yale Child Study Center recently reported that five percent of New Haven's sixth-graders, 14 percent of eighth graders and one in five of the city's ninth graders smoke. In addition, 10 to 20 percent of the students who participated in the study said they did not think smoking was harmful. Fifty-eight thousand students under the age of 18 smoke cigarettes according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Malloy's criticism comes on the heels of the his policy proposal, "Every Child Matters," his plan to expand HUSKY insurance and outreach efforts to guarantee coverage for all of the 71,000 children currently living without health insurance in Connecticut.

"Funding programs that put Connecticut's children first should be a top priority," concluded Malloy. "This is yet another example of Rell's lack of leadership when it comes to taking care of our most vulnerable population."

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