Newspaper opposes raid on tobacco settlement funds

As the legislative session neared a dramatic close, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on April 26 published an editorial opposing proposals to redirect tobacco settlement funds to other purposes than they were intended.

“It comes as no surprise that states across the country are raiding funds created by the 1998 settlement with tobacco companies to balance their budgets. Hawaii is no exception, but legislators should be poised to restore the funds as the economy improves,” the editorial said.

There is a considerable amount at stake. “Big Tobacco provides $52 million a year to Hawaii under the settlement,” the newspaper said, “and Hawaii was ranked seventh last year in fund expenditures on quit-smoking programs in comparison with the percentage recommended by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. That amounts to $8.8 million, compared with the CDC's recommendation of $15.2 million.”

Anti-smoking programs and measures funded by the settlement have led to success. “The 9.3 percentage of adults who smoke is fifth-lowest in the country, which averages 26.5 percent, and the 6.8 percent of youths ages 12-17 who have embarked on the dangerous habit ranks Hawaii second lowest; the national average of youths who smoke is nearly 16 percent,” the editorial pointed out.

“The tobacco fund plays a key role in discouraging people from either starting the addiction or breaking away from it,” the newspaper said. “ Any diversion of money away from it should be restored at the earliest time possible.”