Posted on 11/15/2003 5:02:24 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Georgians are paying more in state taxes on cigarettes and cigars, and the state is planning to spend less to get them to stop smoking.
The Department of Human Resources, which has cut funding for its tobacco use prevention programs in the past year, is calling for an additional 25 percent reduction next year to comply with Gov. Sonny Perdue's call for leaner state agencies.
The budget cutbacks would mean some smokers who want help quitting may not be able to get through to counselors from the state's telephone "quit line," and that local anti-smoking programs will get less money.
And the cuts are being proposed only a few months after the state raised taxes on cigarettes by 25 cents per pack, in part to help curb smoking among Georgians.
"I am very disappointed," said June Deen of the American Lung Association of Georgia. "I understand there are going to be some cutbacks, but it seems like our percentage was particularly large."
Georgia ranks 27th among the states in funding programs meant to protect children from tobacco, according to a national report released last week by a coalition of public health organizations. It said Georgia spends 29.6 percent of what the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the state spend for tobacco prevention.
The report added that Georgia will spend about $12.6 million this year on tobacco prevention, or about 3 percent of the $395 million the state will collect from tobacco taxes and a nationwide legal settlement with tobacco companies. In contrast, the report said tobacco companies spend $335 million a year to market their products in Georgia.
"Georgia has made a modest investment in protecting its kids from tobacco, but it is falling far short of the minimum amount recommended by the experts at the CDC," said William V. Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, one of the groups releasing the report.
Settlement funds diverted
The budget cuts would come from money the state receives as part of the 1998 tobacco settlement, which is expected to bring Georgia $4.8 billion over 25 years. States are not restricted in the way they use the settlement money, and many have spent it on things other than health care or tobacco prevention. A third of Georgia's share has been committed to rural economic development.
The latest cut in Georgia would be shifted to other public health programs.
In January, Perdue called on lawmakers to raise the state's cigarette taxes from 12 cents to 58 cents per pack and institute a new cigar excise tax. Georgia needed the extra money because of the sour economy. But Perdue also promoted the health benefits, arguing higher prices would persuade some adults to stop smoking and keep teens from starting.
He was supported by health organizations, who argued the state spends more than $400 million annually treating Georgians for tobacco-related illnesses.
A 25-cents-per-pack cigarette tax hike went into effect July 1. A month later, Perdue called on agencies to cut spending by 2.5 percent this year and 5 percent next year.
Delmonte Jefferson, state program manager for the tobacco use prevention program, said his section had previously been reduced about $2 million even before the DHR board recommended an additional $3 million cut in October.
If state legislators approve the latest cuts, the smoking "quit line" hours will have to be cut back.
Currently, the lines are manned from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The evening and Saturday hours would be eliminated.
The line receives about 13,000 calls a year, Jefferson said. Callers speak to counselors and then receive a free kit and follow-up intervention if they're ready to quit.
"About 4,200 [callers] will not be able to receive counseling," Jefferson estimated. "This will probably affect blue-collar workers who can only call at night or on the weekends."
Health advocates vow fight
Money sent to district offices for anti-smoking programs would be cut by $800,000, and the programs' advertising campaigns would be reduced. Media advertising helps draw smokers to the DHR services.
"The less you invest, the less impact you can expect to have," said Andy Lord, director of Georgia tobacco initiatives for the American Cancer Society.
Dan McLagan, spokesman for Perdue, said the governor remains committed to cutting teen smoking.
"The primary benefit of the tobacco tax [increase] as a deterrent is the cost that it adds, which underage smokers find prohibitive," he said. "But in these difficult budget times, the Department of Human Resources, like every other agency, is having to prioritize. There are [proposed] cuts in mental hospitals and other areas, too."
Still, Deen said health advocates will return to the Capitol when the Legislature convenes in January, ready to fight to maintain the anti-smoking funding. "We know the people of Georgia support tobacco prevention," she said. "We know that this program, even though it's never been adequately funded, is making a difference in Georgia."
Big Government doesn't' want everyone to quit. After all they need this tax revenue to feed the Big Government machine. Besides this sends out the signal that government offices open and politicans are accepting campaign donations.
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