Georgia lacking in tobacco use prevention by kids

The state of Georgia isn’t doing enough to prevent children from using tobacco, based on information released in a new report.

Georgia landed the No. 44 spot in state rankings by a public health organization coalition and in 2015, the peach state spent $1.8 million on tobacco-use prevention campaigns. The number is considerably less than the $106 million the CDC recommends for the state to spend. The state funds the prevention programs from a settlement the state received in 1998.

The report, titled “Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State Look at the 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 18 Years Later,” was released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights and Truth Initiative.

“Georgia is putting children’s health at risk and costing taxpayers money by refusing to fund tobacco prevention programs that save lives and health care dollars,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Because of the tremendous progress our country has made in reducing smoking, it is within our reach to win the fight against tobacco and make the next generation tobacco-free. Georgia should be doing everything it can to protect kids from tobacco.”

Read more: http://evans.allongeorgia.com/georgia-lacking-in-tobacco-use-prevention-by-kids/