Little Tobacco Money Goes Toward Anti-Smoking Programs

"Ten years ago this week, the states reached a $246 billion settlement with tobacco companies. The settlement was the beginning of an era that saw landmark changes for smoking nationwide." Since then, "smoking rates are down across the board," and states are increasingly restricting "where people may smoke." Most of the settlement money went not towards anti-smoking programs but towards helping "balance budgets, build schools and pave roads." Less than five percent of the money has been spent "on tobacco control." Read more.