Report Ranks California 16th In Protecting Kids From Tobacco

By Bill Johnson Published Dec 7, 2005 02:10 pm Updated Jan 31, 2009 02:32 pm

Sonora, CA — A national report says California ranks 16th in the nation in funding programs to protect kids from tobacco.

California currently spends more than $79 million a year on tobacco prevention programs and Tuolumne County Heath Officer Todd Stolp says it is worth every dime.

The report warns that there is a growing gap between the inadequate amounts most states are spending on tobacco prevention and the record sums the tobacco companies are spending to market cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Stolp says that several programs have been launched in Tuolumne County schools that focus on tobacco prevention. The local medical society has also launched a program awarding students at Cassina High School for producing anti tobacco videos.