Lawmakers Propose Cutting Funds from Minn. Tobacco Campaign April 18, 2001
News Summary
Minnesota's acclaimed Target Market youth smoking-prevention campaign is under attack by lawmakers who want to divert its funding to other uses, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported April 18.Rep. Doug Stand (R-Cold Spring) wants to take the funding from the statewide prevention program and use it to boost spending on the University of Minnesota Medical School. Target Market is currently funded by the interest earned on the state's $282 million share of the nationwide tobacco settlement.
State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the administration of Gov. Jesse Ventura is "very opposed" to the idea of taking money away from youth tobacco prevention. "We are very confident we are on the right track, and we are going to demonstrate that this is one of the best investments ever made in the state in terms of lives saved and dollars saved," Malcolm said.
Stang said some lawmakers question the value of the smoking-prevention program and think the money could be better spent on health care.
Among Target Market's activities has been sponsoring a traveling display of tobacco-industry documents detailing how cigarette companies have intentionally marketed their products to children.
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