Free Republic

RALEIGH, N.C. -- 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. 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. The commission's decision to expand its current three-year, $18.6 million effort, was made earlier this week. The panel already has issued grants to 30 organizations, created an anti-smoking radio ad campaign and beefed up...