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Tobacco Prevention Work in Montana

Smoking remains the most preventable cause of death and disability in the United States, with smokers dying an average of ten years before non-smokers. Preventing tobacco use is one of the best ways Montana can work to improve public health, and help Montanans live longer, healthier lives.

Montana programs rely on tobacco use prevention funding

Over 25 years ago, four tobacco companies settled with states to allow them to recoup some of the billions of dollars in tobacco-related illnesses their products had caused. The tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Montana goes to:

  • Tobacco Trust Fund, the interest of which generates funds for health care programs, (40%)
  • Tobacco prevention/cessation and human service programs (32%),
  • The Children’s Health Insurance Program, comprehensive health association programs, and Medicaid matching funds (17%), and
  • The state General Fund (11%)

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) operates a number of tobacco prevention and cessation programs, including:

  • The Montana Quit Line;
  • Public awareness programs;
  • Cessation programs;
  • American Indian community based tobacco programs.

The Montana Use Tobacco Prevention Program at DPHHS is mostly funded through MSA dollars, with a smaller portion coming from the Centers on Disease Control and the JUUL settlement. Currently, however, MTUPP’s budget is less than half of the CDC recommended level of funding.

Montana’s legislature seeks to adjust tobacco use prevention funding

Funding for tobacco use prevention has been a hot topic this legislative session. One bill, HB 494, proposed changes to the MSA funding structure. This bill proposes dropping tobacco prevention/cessation and human service program from 32 percent to 17 percent, putting Montana’s even farther below the recommended amount.

The American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network, and the American Lung Association have spoken out against the reductions proposed in this bill and have asked the legislature instead to increase funding for tobacco use prevention.

One amendment in HB 2 would increase funding for Montana’s tobacco use prevention programs by $1 million each year in the next biennium, and add an additional $1.3 million per year if the CDC does not provide its annual funding to MTUPP.

Investments in tobacco use prevention help protect Montanans from devastating diseases, and is a smart investment in the long-term health of the state.