Reducing and preventing Tobacco Use

Tobacco is responsible for roughly 1/3 of all cancer deaths -- or nearly 2,300 cancer deaths in Connecticut this year. 

Tobacco Control Funding

Comprehensive, well-funded tobacco control programs help prevent youth from starting to use tobacco products and support and promote cessation among current tobacco users.  ACS CAN recommends that states dedicate a portion of tobacco tax and other tobacco-related revenue for tobacco control.  While Connecticut has made a significant step to fund $12 million for tobacco control efforts, we still fall short of what is needed and, in fact, are at risk of future funding cuts.  

• The CDC recommends that Connecticut spend $32 million annually on tobacco prevention programs.  
• Connecticut has cumulatively only spent $29.7 million over 20 years-$2.3 million below what the CDC recommends to be spent annually. 
• Connecticut collects an estimated $390 million annually in tobacco revenue through taxes and Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement payments. 
• The tobacco industry never stops marketing to kids because they know that almost all smokers start as minors. 
• The tobacco companies spend $60.8 million every year marketing their deadly products in Connecticut. That’s why we can’t let up in funding programs to protect our kids from tobacco. 
• Connecticut’s Tobacco and Health Trust Fund has been raided 84 times in the past 16 years for programs unrelated to tobacco control. 
• Tobacco prevention is one of the smartest and most fiscally responsible investments that states can make.