Tobacco Manufacturers Would Fund Prevention, Cessation

from "Public Policy Update", Breathe Easy news magazine, Spring-Summer 2004)

The American Lung Association of California is cosponsoring Senate Bill 676 (Ortiz, D-Sacramento), which would require tobacco manufacturers that did not sign on to the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement to pay an annual fee to the state with proceeds funding tobacco use prevention, control and cessation programs.

SB 676 would provide some crucial funding needed to continue progress made in California's landmark statewide tobacco prevention and control program. The need for countering increasing tobacco industry marketing is critical, especially among 18 to 24-year-olds, the only adult age group where smoking is on the rise.