Concern expressed by OTPF over Future of Ohio Tobacco Funding

The Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF) is concerned about the tobacco funding issue under review at the Statehouse. Dr. Gary DeNelsky, an active member of the Cuyahoga County Tobacco Control Coalition has sent out information to members of the coalition (which includes the AMCNO) asking for assistance with this important matter. State leaders are currently discussing plans in the biennial budget proposal to securitize, or sell, future tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) payments for a one-time, upfront payment of $5 billion. If the current budget plan (HB119) were approved by the Ohio Legislature, it would eliminate future MSA funding to the OTPF. OTPF does not support securitization unless a portion of the tobacco dollars are used to fund tobacco prevention and cessation programming. And, the majority of Ohioans feel the same way. A recent poll conducted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that nearly nine out of ten Ohio voters (87 percent) support spending tobacco dollars on tobacco control in Ohio.

Mike Renner, Executive Director of the Tobacco Prevention Foundation, says that at least 15 per cent of the securitization funds should be reserved for tobacco control. OTPF is looking for support of this effort – if physicians are interested in registering their support go to www.secureohiosfuture.com  to register as a supporter and add your contact information to receive ongoing updates on this issue.