Tobacco Free Program
Master Settlement Agreement Background
In 1998, Pennsylvania's Attorney General joined the Attorneys General of 46 states, 5 territories and commonwealths, and the District of Columbia, in the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with the five major tobacco manufacturers representing almost 99% of the tobacco industry's revenues. The MSA has no termination date and provides a perpetual reimbursement to states for the costs incurred as a result of tobacco use. Pennsylvania's share of the MSA funds for the first 25 years of the agreement is estimated to be approximately $11 billion. The Commonwealth is slated to receive annual payments of between $397 million and $459 million between 1999 and 2025. Annual computed adjustments to the amount Pennsylvania is to receive under the agreement will alter the actual amount the Commonwealth will receive. Adjustments will depend upon levels of inflation and domestic shipping volume each year.
With the concurrence of the General Assembly, Governor Tom Ridge, through his Health Investment Plan, has positioned Pennsylvania as a leader among states and a competitor among nations by earmarking tobacco settlement funds for initiatives designed to improve the health of its citizens. The following five principles were developed to guide the Commonwealth's use of the tobacco settlement funds:
- Make Pennsylvanians healthier.
- Set aside a portion of the funds so that future generations of Pennsylvanians can benefit from the settlement.
- Direct the settlement funds to programs and initiatives that can easily be adjusted given the likely fluctuation in payment amounts.
- Focus on fulfilling or enhancing State government's existing service areas before creating new ones.
- Focus on initiatives that do not require the significant growth or expansion of government bureaucracies.
Tobacco Free Task Force
Washington County Health Partners, Inc.’s (WCHP’s) Tobacco Free Program is consolidating the current Tobacco Free Task Force, Tobacco Free Program Subcontractors, Tobacco Free Grassroots Advocates, and Tobacco Free Champions into a revitalized Tobacco Free Task Force.
Under the new Tobacco Control Contract for May 2005-June 2007, WCHP is to “develop, expand, and maintain a county-wide coalition throughout the contract period to guide and support primary contractor and associated service provider tobacco prevention and cessation activities including, but not limited to, community needs and services assessments and primary contractor deliverables under each of the nine program components.”
The new Tobacco Free Task Force will serve as Washington County’s coalition, pulling together Washington County professionals and community members interested in tobacco use prevention and cessation to expand the Tobacco Free Program’s impact throughout the county.
Events
Task Force Meetings
Fourth Friday of Every Month at 10am at Presbyterian SeniorCare (825 S Main
St, Washington)
Links