A December report about tobacco prevention funding ranked Ohio in 45th place for the second consecutive year. Two years ago, the state ranked 13th.
The report, funded by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, stated that Ohio spends about 5 percent of the $145 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on anti-smoking measures.
In 2008, Ohio's tobacco prevention budget peaked at $45 million, but after the state legislature voted to eliminate the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation, the budget dropped to $7.4 million, said Beverly J. May, regional director of advocacy of the campaign.
After the cuts, Athens County's tobacco prevention services took a hit.
Nancy Schell, tobacco prevention coordinator at the Athens County Health Department, estimates the county lost about $75,000 when the foundation was eliminated.
We lost a full-time tobacco cessation specialist. The money covered salary
training and materials Schell said.
In August 2009, a Columbus judge ruled that closing the foundation and using its leftover funds for other purposes was illegal.
The state is appealing the August 2009 ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court, said Sen. Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens).
For now, the county health department and surrounding counties are relying on a $50,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to raise awareness about hazardous second-hand smoke and work with physicians to screen patients for tobacco use, Schell said.
Despite the fact that the full-time position is gone we still have some services left over. However
the momentum has definitely shifted
Schell said.
The county health department is also working with the Nelsonville-York City School District to help it become a tobacco-free campus, she added.
Despite the cuts, the state has maintained the Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE, a toll-free help line for Ohioans who quit smoking, said Sara Morman, public information officer from the Ohio Department of Health.
Athens City School District D.A.R.E. officer Rick Crossen said prevention is a key point his program addresses.
Response from students is encouraging and the focus on prevention seems to be working, Crossen said.
Smoking prevention has the support of some legislators, Stewart said, although he added he didn't know if the majority supports the cause.
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Elizabeth Lundblad
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