Idaho Criticized By National Group For Anti-Tobacco Policies

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Washington, D.C.-based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says Idaho doesn’t spend enough of the money it takes in from tobacco taxes to discourage young smokers.

The group says the state will spend less than two percent of this year’s income from taxes on tobacco and the 1998 tobacco settlement on tobacco prevention.

Bill Corr, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says Idaho lawmakers should increase the $1.4 million the state now spends to $11 million.

He says that’s the minimum recommended for Idaho by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on the money the state takes in on tobacco taxes.

Idaho has the third lowest smoking rate in the nation with 15.8 percent of high school students who smoke.