Arkansas: cutting edge
You can't say it often. But Arkansas stands nearly alone among the states in spending tobacco settlement money solely on health purposes. (Effectiveness remains a legitimate debate.)
The NY Times reports today on the rise in states tapping the money to shore up general budgets and looking for more cigarette taxes, too. Arkansas, of course, is part of that latter trend.
Comments
If there was one IOTA of ethics in the way Huckabuck, himself a recipient of tobacco money,
there would be a program designed to assist smokers who wish to quit. It would be subsidized with tobacco settlement money.
Posted by: eLwood![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 14, 2009 10:42 AM
Elwood, There has been cessation assistance since 2002. Call 1-800-QUIT NOW to speak with trained counselors who will evaluate a caller's nicotine dependancy, help persons develop a quit plan,and arrange for medication if appropriate ( There is FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy available though I'm not a fan).
My favorite link to the Quit Line is here: http://www.tobaccofreemc.com/Quitting.htm
I feel like a broken record, but cessation, while a necessary part of a comprehensive plan, is neither the most effective nor important means of reducing tobacco use. Evidence based tobacco prevention are policies creating tobacco free space, significant tobacco tax increases, and marketing reform reducing youth initiation. Effective tobacco prevention seeks to de-normalize tobacco use so that it is easier to quit and young people do not fall victim to a predatory rogue industry.
Posted by: Zarathustra![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 14, 2009 11:39 AM
And Yes, this is funded in Arkansas with MSA monies. And again, No tobacco taxes are spent on either cessation or prevention.
Posted by: Zarathustra![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 14, 2009 11:41 AM
Biggest waste of money in state government....
Posted by: eark![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 14, 2009 04:45 PM
"Biggest waste of money in state government...."
Where as the additional $564 annual tax burden every household in Arkansas pays for tobacco related disease must seem really efficacious to you?
Posted by: Zarathustra![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 14, 2009 08:45 PM