Report: State lagging on tobacco prevention funding

Illinois ranks 42nd among U.S. states in its funding of tobacco prevention programs.

A report from a coalition of public health groups released Wednesday says Illinois spends only a fraction of what the federal government recommends.

Tobacco companies agreed in 1998 to settle lawsuits several states brought over smoking-related health care costs. The companies are paying the states about $206 billion over more than two decades.

Illinois this year will collect $857 million from the settlement and tobacco taxes. The reports says the state will spend about 1 percent of it on tobacco prevention.

Matthew Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says Illinois should raise its cigarette tax.

Gov. Pat Quinn's office hasn't responded to a request for comment.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/statereport10.pdf">Full Tobacco-Free Kids reports</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>