Sustainable Funding for Tobacco Prevention Programs

This document is a fact sheet that outlines the need for sustainable funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. It presents the significant health impacts of tobacco use, which remains a leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., claiming over 480,000 lives annually. The American Heart Association advocates for funding levels that meet or exceed the CDC recommendations for comprehensive tobacco control programs. The fact sheet details the historical context of tobacco funding, including the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, and highlights the current underfunding of tobacco prevention initiatives across most states. It also discusses the economic burden of smoking-related illnesses, which costs the U.S. economy over $300 billion each year. The document emphasizes the importance of effective tobacco control strategies and the potential return on investment from comprehensive prevention programs. It concludes with a call for increased funding to reduce tobacco use and its associated health risks.