{news} Tobacco and the War on Drugs

[David Bedell]

If CT were serious about a "War on Drugs," you'd think it would cover smoking cessation treatment for Medicaid recipients.  It's one of six states that don't.  And the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund is one of the programs Gov. Rell now plans to raid.

I understand CT just passed a law that will fine teens for using tobacco in public.--let's see what effect it has. I suppose a consistent policy would be to fine public users of tobacco or marijuana, but not imprison them.

David Bedell


http://www.connpost.com/brooks/ci_11581932

Report: State fails in tobacco prevention, cessation coverageBy David HennesseyPosted: 01/29/2009 01:19:46 PM EST

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                			The
American Lung Association's (ALA) annual national "State of Tobacco
Control Report Card," which was released last week, has once again
pegged a disconcerting trend concerning the prevention and cessation of
smoking in the state of Connecticut.  Connecticut received failing grades in two categories — tobacco
prevention and control spending, as well as cessation coverage.  "The American Lung Association has released a report card for
the past six years basically rating tobacco control in the United
States," explained Margaret LaCroix, spokesperson for the ALA. "If this
was a report card your child brought home to you, you'd be very upset."
 Despite the state seemingly taking a giant step forward toward
comprehensive tobacco control by originally proposing $12 million for
the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund, Gov. M. Jodi Rell now plans to raid
that fund and instead transfer the $12 million into the general fund, a
move the ALA says is a step in the wrong direction. We're suggesting to
the governor and the General Assembly not to raid that $12 million,"
LaCroix said.  She explained that a state like Connecticut should be
spending roughly $43.9 million on tobacco control every year, a figure
recommended by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Over
the past decade, the state has received more than $1 billion in funds
from the landmark Master Settlement Agreement. Yet, virtually none has been spent for the purpose for which it was intended, namely tobacco treatment, according to the ALA. 	

 Connecticut is also one of just six states remaining that does not
cover smoking cessation treatment for Medicaid recipients, despite 70
percent of current smokers wanting to quit.  "If the state legislature has any notion that they are saving
money by not providing comprehensive treatment for smokers who want to
quit, their thinking is flawed," said David Hill, chair of the
Connecticut Leadership Board, American Lung Association of New England,
in a release. "We know that for ever $1 spent on tobacco prevention and
treatment, $14 is saved on health care costs. In a state that has
historically prided itself on implementing good public health policy,
in the area of tobacco control, we fail. This failure translates into
nearly 5,000 deaths in our state each year. Tobacco use is at the heart
of a crisis plaguing America's health and economy and it must be a
priority for our state leaders," Hill added.  On a positive note Norwalk Hospital has offered a free,
inclusive smoking cessation program since the 1970s. Program instructor
Beverly Jacob said the initiative helps smokers to deal with the
far-ranging effects of withdrawal.  "We offer it twice a year, once in the spring and once in the
fall, for seven weeks," Jacob said. "Because smoking is so addictive,
we just want people to be able to prepare themselves. Some people can
just put cigarettes down. Others take several quit attempts. But we all
know it's just as serious a health problem as alcohol or drugs, and the
health consequences are huge."  Jacob said the program typically sees a 30 to 35 percent quit
rate. It also provides "multiple techniques in assisting smokers
interested in quitting," according to Maura Romaine, a spokesperson for
Norwalk Hospital, including information provided on nicotine
replacement therapy, controlling weight during the quitting process and
the health benefits of quitting. Group support and expert counseling
are also key aspects of the program, Romaine said.  "As part of our mission to promote wellness for our
community, Norwalk Hospital provides a vast assortment of public
services — educational programs, support groups, health fairs and
screenings — free of charge as a community service," Romaine said. "The
smoking cessation program is one of those programs. We want to
encourage the members of our community — as much as possible — to take
advantage of these offerings that help promote healthy lifestyles. We
also see it as part of our commitment to the communities we serve to
give back.  Without full funding of more programs like the one offered at
Norwalk Hospital, LaCroix said it's difficult to provide the complete
treatment necessary — especially the important nicotine replacement
therapy — to help smokers quit once and for all.  Even with community events like the Great American Smoke-Out
hosted by the American Cancer Society, the state of Connecticut is
lagging behind when it comes to helping people quit the unhealthy and
addictive habit. 	"If the grades on the report card improve, general health will improve. That's how it works," LaCroix said. 	

 LaCroix pointed out that one of the reasons the state got a C'
in [the report card's] Smoke-free Air category is because Connecticut
still has a lot of restrictions on the books — casinos, for example.  "There is no safe level of second-hand smoke," she said.
While the state received a decent grade B in the Cigarette Tax
category, LaCroix said the ALA is suggesting the cigarette tax in
Connecticut be increased by $1 per pack, a move which historically has
corresponded with decreased smoking rates.  "In proposing the tax to be increased by a dollar, we're also
suggesting some of it be earmarked for cessation and prevention
programs," she said, noting that the income generated from the
increased tax would raise about $50 million per year for the state.  LaCroix urges local residents to contact state legislators as
well as the governor to encourage Connecticut to cover smoking
cessation treatment and services to Medicaid recipients.  "Increasing tobacco taxes and passing smoke-free workplace
laws drive up demand for cessation treatments and services," she said.
"It is imperative that our state has a policy in place to help these
smokers quit — especially among people on Medicaid, who smoke at a much
higher rate than the general public," she said. 	For information, contact the ALA at http://www.lungne.org To learn more about Norwalk Hospital's cessation program, call 852-2484.


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