TEXAS TOBACCO PREVENTION CAMPAIGNS - When it comes to the debate about cigarette smoking, Some might argue that tobacco use is a personal choice. And that their choice only affects the tobacco user because medical costs are offset by taxes on tobacco products. But in a report provided by Houston Public Media, John Schachter with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says in Texas, that’s not the case. “For tobacco related and tobacco caused disease only, the state of Texas is paying $8.9-billion in annual healthcare bills" explained Schachter. It
means that Texas spends over seven-billion-dollars more on healthcare-related costs, than it generates in tobacco-related taxes, and money it gets from the 1998 “Big Tobacco” settlement. Another thing is is that Texas spends just four-and-one-half million on tobacco-prevention campaigns 260-million less than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends. According to Schachter, there's a reason why. He says “95% of adult smokers started before they were 21, and 90% before they were 18.” And Aileen Sii, an 18-year old says tobacco product placement, and design is directly aimed at people her
age group. “Electronic cigarettes right up on the counter. They’re marketed in a very colorful way with different flavors such as banana smash.” According to the report, Big Tobacco spends over a million-dollars a day on that product placement.
