Missouri lawmakers appear poised to budget an additional $1.5 million for youth tobacco prevention programs in the coming fiscal year, up from $500,000, the Fort Mill Times reported April 28.

The state ranked second-to-last in the nation for tobacco-prevention spending last year, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and was ranked last in 2007.

The new funding will be dedicated to programs for teens in a state where the smoking rate is among the highest in the country. State health director Jane Drummond said that the state would likely spend the money on a prevention program modeled on successful efforts in other states.

The increase was approved by House and Senate budget negotiators but still must be approved in both chambers of the state legislature and the governor.