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Anti-Smoking Budget Cut In Half
American Lung Association Gives State 'F' In Funding
POSTED: 1:57 pm CST December 2,
2008
UPDATED: 6:36 pm CST December 2,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Funding to the state department of health that is used to help residents quit smoking has been cut in half, and more cuts could still be in the future.
Watch This StoryLast fiscal year, Tennessee spent $10 million to fund anti-smoking and anti-tobacco campaigns, but that figure for next year has already been cut to $5 million.The decrease in funding comes on the heels of the American Lung Association giving the state a grade of "F" for its financial support of quitting smoking.Jason Stamm with Metro's Health Department said even with a decrease in funding from the state, they're doing the best they can by providing medicine and counseling to those trying to quit. If more funding is cut, those programs could suffer.The state health department said in tough times they have to prioritize spending. Nursing home inspections along with bioterrorism preparedness are some of the top priorities.The American Lung Association said that smoking costs the state $2 billion a year in health care costs. Reporter Anne Marshall is working on this story and will have more on Channel 4 News at 6 p.m. Related Link:
Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
Watch This StoryLast fiscal year, Tennessee spent $10 million to fund anti-smoking and anti-tobacco campaigns, but that figure for next year has already been cut to $5 million.The decrease in funding comes on the heels of the American Lung Association giving the state a grade of "F" for its financial support of quitting smoking.Jason Stamm with Metro's Health Department said even with a decrease in funding from the state, they're doing the best they can by providing medicine and counseling to those trying to quit. If more funding is cut, those programs could suffer.The state health department said in tough times they have to prioritize spending. Nursing home inspections along with bioterrorism preparedness are some of the top priorities.The American Lung Association said that smoking costs the state $2 billion a year in health care costs. Reporter Anne Marshall is working on this story and will have more on Channel 4 News at 6 p.m. Related Link:Tennessee Tobacco Quitline
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