States still are doing far too little to prevent youth tobacco use despite receiving billions of dollars from the tobacco industry that was initially intended for use in prevention, the Houston Chronicle reported Aug. 12.

Texas received $17.3 billion from the 1998 settlement, but spends only $17 million on youth tobacco prevention and has one of the nation's highest teen smoking rates. Texas' spending on tobacco prevention ranked last among the major states and 45th in the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Texas should be spending $100 million annually to prevent youth smoking.

By contrast, New York spent $85 million on prevention this year, 89 percent of the CDC recommendation. On the other hand, only 17 states spent 50 percent or more of the CDC-recommended amount on smoking prevention, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"There are a number of factors that play into youth smoking rates," said Meg Gallogly, associate research director for the Campaign. "But the more you spend (on anti-tobacco education), the more likely you are to reduce smoking."