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

Say "no" to tobacco

On the one hand, where smoking is a style statement for young people these days, the younger generation has also become aware of the ill effects of tobacco.

To show its concern in relation to the case of children from 12 schools in Delhi gathered at the Naval Public School, Chanakyapuri and displayed handmade posters. Winning posters will be presented at the WHO on World No Tobacco Day 2012 on May 31.
Strive to mark World No Tobacco Day in an unconventional style was organized by the Indian Cancer Society (ICS), where the children participated in the poster contest and do a parody on "The tobacco industry interference.

These competitions were recognized Dr. Damodar Bachani (Head of Community Medicine, Lady Harding Medical College), Vineet Gill Munish (WHO Consultant on Tobacco Control), Mira Aghi (Terry Luther medal winner), Amal Pusp (Director, Department of Health and FW) and social worker Usha Jain. Although the results are expected, the students enjoyed being part of the celebration, which spread the message.

Out of the winning team NC Jindal Public School, Akshay Kapoor, Std XII student together, "Our parody was based on students who believe that smoking is cool and make them understand that it is not. We also tried to focus on children forced to smoke peer "slogan printed on their team shirts". If you can not quit smoking, cancer, "attracted the attention and appreciation to all.

Sunita Gupta, coordinator of the event, the Indian Cancer Society informed Metrolife, the cause of the organization as a parody on the essay contest: "We have been organizing an essay in 15 years. But in the last six years we have been a parody of competition, because we realized that the message sent through the skits had more influence on the minds of children who are our future ambassadors. So we decided to disseminate information to children and prevent them from falling victim to tobacco. " A similar view is shared by Jyotsna Govil, Secretary, Indian Cancer Society, "It is essential that young children are active.

It is important for young people to understand the techniques of the tobacco industry, and beware of falling into the trap of addiction. "
The children present on the occasion of the terrible facts of color, such as tobacco causes five lakh cases of lung cancer and oral cavity every year, and this increase is fueled by the insidious policy of the tobacco industry interference in policy-making. No other product has been so successful selling of death and disease, when used as its manufacturer intended.