Hawaii has spent $40 million to combat smoking
Hawaii has spent approximately $40 million to combat tobacco use statewide since 2000. Of that amount, $26 million, was spent on state, community and cessation interventions including advocacy and public policy activities and operating the Hawaii Tobacco Quitline, according to the Hawaii Tobacco Prevention and Control Fund’s 10-year report, released Feb. 9.
The report highlights the state’s successes in influencing legislation and building public service campaigns over the past decade aimed at getting Hawaii residents to quit smoking. Notable victories include passing a comprehensive statewide anti-smoking law in 2006, raising cigarette excise taxes from $1 a pack in 2000 to $2.80 in 2009 and raising fines and penalties for illegal sales of tobacco products to minors.
“Despite recent successes, smoking and tobacco use continues to be the single greatest cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in Hawaii resulting in more than 1,200 deaths annually at a cost of $643 million per year in direct medical expenses and in lost productivity,” the report said.
Established in 2000 with tobacco settlement money, the purpose of the fund is to support tobacco prevention and control including reducing cigarette smoking and tobacco use among youth and adults through education, enforcement activities and controlling and preventing chronic diseases where tobacco is a risk factor.
The trust fund originally received as much as $12.8 million a year, an allocation that state lawmakers have reduced over the years. It now stands at about $3 million, according to the Hawaii Community Foundation, which administers the fund for the state.
Since its inception, the fund has generated almost $91 million in revenue from its annual allocation, investment interest and dividends, according to the foundation’s latest report to the Legislature.
