Ohio Legislature Moves to Eliminate Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation

The Ohio House and the Ohio Senate reviewed bills that would put $230 million into the bipartisan jobs package as planned and divert the estimated $40 million remaining in the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation (OTPF) endowment under the control of the Ohio Department of Health.

The legislation, which is on a fast-track and endorsed by Gov. Ted Strickland, came during a legal fight over the money that was triggered when the economic stimulus plan was announced earlier this month. OTPF sought to protect its endowment by shipping most of it to the American Legacy Foundation; however a Franklin County judge put a hold on that move and the effect of subsequent legislation to seize the funds pending further legal review.

The legislation would allow for ODH to accept donations and retain interest earnings to be used, under the director’s discretion, for anti-tobacco programming. The substitute version also requires the director to report back to the governor and legislative leaders regarding plans for the funds.