A state-by-state assessment of tobacco control programs by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points to Hawaii as a leader in national efforts to reduce smoking.

Hawaii ranks second among states for the lowest number of youths ages 12 to 17 who smoke, 6.8 percent, and fifth for the lowest prevalence of adult cigarette smoking at 15.4 percent.

The CDC report, Tobacco Control State Highlights 2010, was released yesterday by the American Heart Association and other organizations concerned about preserving Hawaii's tobacco prevention and control program.

Advocates have been worried about ever-increasing amounts of money being diverted from the Tobacco Prevention and Control Trust fund for other purposes.

The Legislature allocated 25 percent of Hawaii's tobacco settlement for the trust fund in 1999 and cut it to 12.5 percent in 2002 to help the University of Hawaii build the new medical school.

Last year, legislators carved 25.5 percent from the tobacco fund for the state treasury, leaving 6.5 percent or about $3.5 million for tobacco and prevention control programs.

Senate Health Chairman David Ige (D, Aiea-Pearl City) said yesterday there has been “;some conversation about trying to sweep money out of the trust fund”; in negotiations over the state budget. He said he is telling colleagues “;that's a bad idea, but we're in crunch time. I'm not sure how it's going to play out.”;

He said one Senate proposal was to take money out of the trust fund, which totals about $52 million, and he does not believe they can do that legally.

“;It's a trust,”; Ige said. “;I'm advocating that we really shouldn't be reducing money going out of the trust fund.”;

The CDC recommends that Hawaii spend $15.2 million annually for tobacco control. But the total amount spent, including trust and other funds, is a little more than $8.8 million, according to the American Lung Association.

That news appalled Dr. Elizabeth Tam, professor and chairwoman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and chairwoman of the Trust Fund Advisory Board.

“;I didn't know it went down that much,”; she said. “;It gives an even broader sense of urgency.”;

Medical costs for smoking-related diseases in Hawaii amount to about $643 million every year, she said.

“;I know we're in hard economic times ... but $15 million to combat $643 million in medical costs and save lives and reduce disabilities, I think that's a bargain.”;