Most of California's tobacco money collected is not to prevent or stop smoking, says study

Since California voters ready to vote next week on raising taxes on tobacco, a new federal study concludes that the state uses relatively little in the billions of dollars of tobacco money; he is already taking to prevent children from smoking and help smokers to quit.

Between 1998 and 2010, only 6 percent of the money collected from the massive settlement of the claim and the tax on cigarettes went on to ban tobacco and educational programs, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week, far below the level of federal spending on the effective use of curbing tobacco. The report provided the fuel for both sides with a thin debate on June 5 elections measure, which is more than double the state tax on a pack of cigarettes. The money will pay for tobacco-related research diseases and anti-smoking programs and go to the fight against illegal sale of tobacco products. Proponents such as the American Cancer Society lobbyist, Jim Knox said the report highlights, CDC, why voters should support the 29 - to fix the money on anti-tobacco efforts to improve public health, and ultimately save lives. The measure would strengthen the proven anti-smoking programs that are very inadequate, but they remain a "model across the country and the world," said Knox. Beth Miller, a representative of the tobacco industry is not supported on Prop 29 campaign, said the CDC study, and only proves the government can not be trusted with more money tax on tobacco products. She compared the election of another measure that funded projects are controversial states, such as high-speed rail and stem cell research. "It's not hard to understand, this measure went down the same path of exorbitant salaries, expensive consultants and more wasteful government spending," said Miller. From 1998 to 2010, California collected nearly $ 22 billion lawsuit settlement company with tobacco and from taxes on cigarettes, according to federal reports. He has appropriated $ 1.3 billion, including financing of state and federal grants for tobacco prevention programs during this period. In 2010, California spent about $ 79 million for tobacco control efforts, about 18 percent of what is recommended by the federal to have a significant impact on public behavior. The California experience reflects a national trend that shows state and local governments have used tobacco-related revenues of almost everything, but deter tobacco use. In the 13 years that ended in 2010, states collected almost $ 244 billion in cigarette taxes and payments in cash and appropriated only $ 8 billion for programs on tobacco control, less than one-third of the $ 29 billion CDC says should have been spent. In 1998 an agreement with the tobacco industry has promised to California will receive $ 25 billion over 25 years, divided equally between the state and counties. He received just over $ 10 billion so far, according to the office of California Attorney General. Terms of the settlement has left his government how to spend money. Local residents have used their share in a number of projects, from fixing sidewalks added halls minor places. California legislators in 2003, tobacco industry payments as collateral for the bonds to close the budget deficit fund of the state. "California has given all of their (tobacco) settlement money. He did not get in the fight against tobacco. It should have," said Knox. California excise tax on cigarettes is currently 87 cents per pack, 50 cents, which goes to programs of early childhood development, and 10 cents in the general fund. The remaining 27 cents are for tobacco education and prevention, health care and research, according to the analysis of the state. The State Department of Health said last year that the adult smoking dropped to a record low of 11.9 percent, compared with 27.7 percent in 1985. Proposition 29 would add another $ 1 per pack of cigarettes and other tobacco products. It sets a new state trust funds and the oversight committee is dedicated to cancer and other tobacco-related disease research, education and prevention programs and the fight against smuggling and illicit trade in tobacco. The tobacco industry has invested millions of dollars into the campaign to defeat the measure, and public opinion seems to be turning against him. Two recent polls nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California show the percentage of voters likely to support measures fell from 67 percent in March, up 53 percent this month. Miller said that the public mood is changing because voters recognize the proposal is not considered 29 state budget deficit by adding "the commission inexplicably" free to spend at their discretion. Knox, lobbyist for the cancer society, denied that the measure would create a growing bureaucracy, saying it will "rejuvenate" the current program is desperately short of money. "(Program) has already proved a huge success in reducing smoking," said Knox