Recorded presentation

Paul Hudson Campbell, ScD¹, Megan Hannan², Edward Miller, MS³, and Karen O'Rourke, MPH¹. (1) Maine Center for Public Health, 12 Church Street, Augusta, ME 04330, 207-629-9272, pcampbell@mcph.org, (2) Dir. of Govt Relations and Advocacy, American Cancer Society, 1 Main Street, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086, (3) American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State St, Augusta, ME 04330

Tobacco is estimated to be the cause of approximately 440,000 deaths annually in the United States. In 1998 forty-six states and the U.S. tobacco industry created a $209 billion Master Settlement Agreement. Since that time Tobacco Settlement funds have flowed to the 50 states. Unfortunately, in most states only a small portion of these dollars is being directed at health issues in general and tobacco-related challenges in particular. Facing the large financial deficits state legislators and governors have increasingly used the Tobacco Settlement funds for other purposes.

Maine is one of the very few states in the nation where Tobacco Settlement dollars have been devoted exclusively for health-related purposes. Extensive tobacco prevention activities have been implemented. Resources have been allocated in this way despite the fact that Maine ranks 36th in the nation in per capita income. Maine is also suffering through a period of large state government deficits, and yet the political leadership remains steadfast on this issue. If fact, current Governor John Baldacci has proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would assign these dollars to health for their duration.

The purpose of this session is to provide useful strategies, based upon Maine’s experience that can be employed by public health advocates in other states.

The authors will present comparative data on the use of tobacco funds across the country. They will also share the results of a telephone survey of activists in other similar states who have worked on this issue.

Learning Objectives: Participants will

• Learn about the comparative use of Settlement funds
• Learn how Maine public health advocates have successfully advocated for 100% of Settlement dollars for health purposes
• Learn strategies to use to successfully advocate for Settlement funds in their own states

Keywords: Tobacco, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation