State is one of
few to use funds to
discourage smoking

Hawaii's part of a court
tobacco settlement will go to
prevention programs

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii is one of only a few states that have set aside money from a settlement reached with the tobacco industry to pay for anti-smoking programs.

The reason is simple: There was public demand to do so and lawmakers listened.

"The public clearly felt that at least a substantial portion or significant portion should go to tobacco control and prevention because that was what the settlement was all about," said attorney Bob Toyofuku, a lobbyist who represents the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaii.

Along with Hawaii, only Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, New Jersey and Washington have funded tobacco control measures.

They are among the 46 states involved in the class-action lawsuit against tobacco companies that will receive a combined total of $206 billion over 25 years.

Hawaii is estimated to receive $1.38 billion over the next 25 years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that each state spent $31 million to $83 million a year on health and anti-smoking programs with money from the settlement.

Studies showed California, which has the nation's oldest anti-smoking program, had the nation's second lowest adult smoking rate in 1997 at 18.4 percent.

Hawaii was third at 18.8 percent, said Julian Lipsher, tobacco education program coordinator for the state Department of Health.

The state Legislature in May passed a bill that specifies how the settlement money is to be used.

Along with the rainy day fund, it created a Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund to be used to reduce tobacco consumption in Hawaii, control and prevent chronic diseases where tobacco is a factor. The funds also will be used to promote healthy lifestyles through better nutrition and improved physical activity, and promote children's health.

Gov. Ben Cayetano last month signed the measure into law. Hawaii leads the nation in its commitment to use these funds for health promotion and education, he said.

"Hawaii has one of the oldest public health programs in the country," Cayetano said. "This bill will help to ensure it continues to have one of the best."

The state is expected to receive a first payment of $94.9 million in fiscal year 2001, $50 million in fiscal year 2002 and between $42 million and $63 million annually from 2003 to 2025.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.