Lawmakers to boost youth anti-tobacco spending

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's anti-tobacco efforts for young people could get a threefold increase in money under a deal struck Monday by legislative budget writers.

Missouri has long ranked near the bottom nationally for the amount of money it spends on tobacco prevention programs. Meanwhile, its smoking rate generally has ranked among the highest in the nation.

This year, the state is spending about $500,000 on programs intended to prevent teens from smoking. Part of that money comes from the federal government.

House and Senate budget negotiators agreed Monday to put an additional $1.5 million into Missouri's efforts against teen smoking during the next budget year, which begins July 1. That legislation still needs final approval in both chambers.

State health director Jane Drummond describes the new funding as a substantial step forward. She said the state likely will use the money to contract with groups to run anti-tobacco programs modeled on those that have proven successful elsewhere.

Although increasing spending for youth efforts, legislative budget negotiators rejected a House-approved provision that also would have pumped more money into a toll-free phone counseling service that helps adult smokers kick the habit.

Senators noted the hot line already gets money through other services, including the Missouri Foundation for Health.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids ranks Missouri next to last nationally in spending for tobacco prevention programs. That's a slight improvement. Last year, Missouri ranked last.