$10.9 million dollars given to 30 organizations, with no oversight, and nothing's gonna change!

There are other things in this world that need our attention and tax dollars.

North Carolina will raise spending on teenage smoking prevention by 75 percent starting next year, officials said Thursday....

I see. Ok, just one question: How's the state of the roads and bridges in NC?

North Carolina will raise spending on teenage smoking prevention by 75 percent starting next year, officials said Thursday, an increase that earned praise from health groups but is still well below federal recommendations.

What are they going to do?  Raise cigarette taxes in order to "raise spending?"

The Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission intends to spend another $4.2 million this year on the state's Youth Tobacco Prevention Initiative, increasing its total annual pledge to $10.9 million.

Where have they been spending the $50 million all along that has been going into the state from the Tobacco Settlement????  Which the SMOKERS pay 100% with the taxes they spend on cigarettes.  NOT Big Tobacco and NOT the state...but the SMOKERS!

 

The roads are falling apart, the prisons are overcrowded, mental institutions are virtually non-existent, but our lawmakers are immune from all the havoc they wreak.

Welcome to the State of One-hand-washes-the-other-just-don't-get-caught Carolina.

The panel already has issued grants to 30 organizations, created an anti-smoking radio ad campaign and beefed up anti-smoking efforts in schools and among pregnant teenagers.

(scratching head here)...wouldn't it behoove the state to be a bit more concerned about teen pregnancies, then worrying about pregnant teens smoking cigarettes???????

Any thinking person knew these tax increases on tobacco would never be applied to the intended purpose of smoking related health care. BOHICA

The roads are falling apart, the prisons are overcrowded, mental institutions are virtually non-existent, but our lawmakers are immune from all the havoc they wreak.

Mass spent $175,000 of the tax payers money to build a big beautiful GOLF course! So sure! Let the tax dollars from cigarettes do the funding for the state!

It never ceases to amaze me how people know so little about how the Tobacco Settlement works. :(

Any thinking person knew these tax increases on tobacco would never be applied to the intended purpose of smoking related health care. BOHICA

That's what "I" was thinking: they must need more money for something ELSE and using the guise of TEEN SMOKING to GET that money. Know what I mean?!

..............wouldn't it behoove the state to be a bit more concerned about teen pregnancies, then worrying about pregnant teens smoking cigarettes???????

How about teen drinking? How about teens who drink and drive? I know drinking and driving kill a LOT of teens in Maine.

How about teen DRUG abuse? Estacy is running rampant. I guess that's ok, just as long as they don't SMOKE! ack!

I don't disagree with you.....

I was just commenting on the irony of worry about pregnant teens smoking.........shouldn't they be more concerned about teens getting pregnant in the first place????

While I do not encourage anyone to take up smoking, I guarantee I would be a lot less concerned if I found my teenager smoking compared to how I would feel if I found out she were pregnant........

I turly think they have their priorites totally backwards here.

And then how much is everyone spending to subsidize the tobacco industry? A little cognitive disonnance, folks?

It's against the law for people under 17 to purchase cigarettes, and for anyone to buy cigarettes for them. Put some teeth in the law, and enforce it aggressively ... OR stop pretending anybody really gives a hoot about teen smoking, except for the tax-suckers who get OUR money for "prevention."

If they actually spent the money on health issues they couldn't raise taxes to cover health related expenses. But since this only affects a small percentage of people the rest won't mind what burdens are imposed on the evil smokers, and will call for higher taxes that do nothing to address the problem.

We're turning into a nation of control freaks, damn this prohibitionist lite approach. Like other issues, it's not the proper function of government to control the lifestyle of the collective

Like other issues, it's not the proper function of government to control the lifestyle of the collective

Agreed.

It's ironic that many of the same 'control' freaks evil smokers are among those trying to shove their lifestyle down the rest of our collective throats...........

It's ironic that many of the same 'control' freaks evil smokers are among those trying to shove their lifestyle down the rest of our collective throats

Many of us seem to cheer them on when they're goring the other guys ox. Helps keep us divided, which seems to be the intent. One faction posing as two with the "you're either with us or against us" mantra spewing from both mouths. A control freaks dream come true.

Never trust an organization with the word "wellness' in the title.

Those organizations are usually right up there with those that have "peace" and "justice" in their names.

They are not to be trusted.

You've got that right,we are turning into a nation of control freaks.

It's all about money,not health.

OH! I wasn't upset with what you said! I was just adding on. You know the list can get mighty long for "things not to do," before smoking. There are a lot WORSE things a person, even a teen can do, besides smoking. Hell, "I" started smoking when I was 16! Look how far "I" have come. LOL!

North Carolina will raise spending on teenage smoking prevention by 75 percent starting next year, officials said Thursday, an increase that earned praise from health groups but is still well below federal recommendations.

Definitely less expensive and more productive than promoting the freedom of parents to take the bull by the horns and making the decision within the family as to what is best for their loved one's. /sarcasm

we are turning into a nation of control freaks.

That is to be expected that persons or groups would promote control, however the public complacently accepting it leaves one in somewhat of a mindful quandary