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State Budget Cuts Could Snuff Out Tobacco Reduction Programs

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Friday, March 5, 2010   

PIERRE, S.D. - Republican leaders in the South Dakota Legislature laid out their proposed cuts to the 2011 budget in Pierre Thursday. Among the decreases, almost half of the yearly budget of $5 million in tobacco prevention funds.

Jennifer Stalley, project director for the South Dakota Tobacco Free Kids Network, says that's surprising because the program was set up with dedicated funds approved by voters.

"The tobacco prevention program was specifically funded by the 2006 dollar-per-pack increase that voters approved. Cuts to that program will mean there is not enough money to do the comprehensive program the Department of Health has been able to do since 2006."

Stalley credits consistent tobacco control funding with a steady and substantial reduction in tobacco use in South Dakota, and she warns that ground could be lost if the cuts stick.

"I think we are going to see our youth tobacco rates rise again, and what we know from that is that youth smokers translate to adult smokers, which translate to increased health care costs."

There are long-term considerations in budget decisions, she adds.

"We've really put in jeopardy our ability to keep our young people from beginning to smoke; our ability to help all of the adults who want to quit smoking. We've set ourselves up to have some long-term significant health care costs to our state."

Stalley says the state was already investing less than half the amount of money recommended for an effective prevention program. In presenting the cuts, legislative leaders said they had no choice but to balance the budget and that many agencies and programs will share in the pain.





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