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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
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(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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Sustaining State Funding for Tobacco Control
A Story from Colorado
Background
- In 2003 and again in 2004, the Colorado legislature drastically
reduced Master Settlement Agreement funding for the State Tobacco
Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP) within the Colorado
Department of Public Health.
- Based on CDC’s Best Practices funding recommendations, Colorado
should be spending a minimum of $24.5 million a year on its
comprehensive tobacco control program. In 2004, the state spent $4.3
million a year on tobacco prevention and control.
- Prior to November 2004, Colorado’s 20-cent cigarette excise tax
was one of the lowest in the nation. The state cigarette tax had
last been raised in 1986.
- A coalition called Citizens for a Healthier Colorado was formed
to work toward passage of Amendment 35: Tobacco Tax Increase for
Health–Related Purposes.
WHAT did Citizens for a Healthier Colorado want?
- To raise the cigarette excise tax from 20 cents to 84 cents and
the excise tax on other tobacco products from 20% to 40% of the
manufacturer’s list price.
- To earmark revenues from the tax increases for tobacco use
prevention and treatment: for the expansion of health care for
low–income Coloradans: and for the prevention, early detection, and
treatment of cancer and heart and lung disease.
WHO could give this to them?
- Voters (the Colorado constitution requires all tax increases to
be voted directly by the people)
- Legislature (to appropriate funds when the referendum passed)
WHAT did voters and legislators need to hear?
- Voters
- A health care crisis existed in Colorado, and tobacco excise tax
revenues could be used to address this crisis.
- Funds would be used to address health issues such as cancer and heart and lung diseases.
- Higher taxes would prevent many young people from starting to
smoke.
- The money would be protected by the state constitution and could
not be reallocated for other purposes without a vote by the people.
- Colorado had one of the lowest cigarette excise taxes in the
nation.
- Legislators
- The promise made to the voters needed to be kept by
appropriating funding for the initiative.
- The bill was comprehensive and would address not only tobacco
prevention and control but also the prevention, early detection, and
treatment of cancer and heart and lung disease.
From WHOM did the voters and legislators
and heart and lung disease. need to hear these messages?
- Voluntary health organizations such as the American Heart
Association, the American Lung Association, and the American Cancer
Society.
- The Children’s Hospital and other health care groups.
- Doctors and patients affected by cancer and heart disease.
- Co–chairs of the Citizens for a Healthier Colorado Campaign—
Barbara O’Brien from the Colorado Children’s Campaign and Al Yates,
president emeritus of Colorado State University. These were two
well–respected and prominent professionals who were able to gather
broad support for the effort.
HOW did Citizens for a Healthier Colorado get
Higher taxes would prevent many young people from voters to hear their messages?
- Advertising on television and radio and through direct mail.
- A total of $2.1 million was raised for the campaign, almost $1
million of which went toward an extensive television advertising
effort.
WHAT did Citizens for a Healthier Colorado and the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership get?
- A 64–cent–per–pack increase in the state cigarette excise tax.
- An excise tax of 40% of the manufacturer’s list price on
non–cigarette products.
- Overwhelming support for the excise tax increase as indicated by
the large majority who voted in favor of the ballot initiative.
- Both the tax increase and the proposed use of funds are part of
the Colorado constitution thus preventing reallocation of revenues
without a vote of the people.
- Earmarked revenues to go toward health initiatives such as the
expansion of Medicaid Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and
Community Health Centers, and include at least $25 million (16% of
expected revenue) each year for tobacco prevention and treatment.
This brings Colorado to the CDC–recommended minimum funding level
for its comprehensive tobacco control program.
Page last reviewed 06/18/2007
Page last modified 06/18/2007