Lung Health News, Spring / Summer 2000
The American Lung Association is urging policymakers statewide to spend tobacco settlement monies on efforts to further reduce tobacco consumption and to enhance California's landmark antismoking campaign. California will receive $25 billion paid over 25 years from its settlement with tobacco companies. That means unprecedented financial payments of about $1 billion annually, with half allocated to the state and half divided among California's counties.
State and local governments can spend the money on anything - no strings attached. Policymakers have an important opportunity to recover healthcare costs and fund tobacco control programs that will help reduce smoking.
Governor Gray Davis missed that opportunity when he vetoed legislation that would have earmarked the state's portion for health and tobacco control programs. Counties across California are deciding how to spend the money locally.
The American Lung Association of California ran a full-page ad in the California Journal and the California County reminding policymakers about the devastating effect tobacco has on the health and wealth of all Californians. The ad proclaims: "California's Tobacco Settlement is About More Than Just Money. It's About the Health of All Californians."
