AUGUSTA - A pair of bills to increase funding for Maine's tobacco prevention and cessation programs, sponsored by Rep. Kristen Cloutier, D-Lewiston, and Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, received funding approval last week from the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
Language from LD 1423 was combined with LD 1868 by the committee last Friday and enacted by the Legislature on Monday. Together, the legislation will increase the funding allocation for tobacco cessation programs and targeted prevention and treatment efforts to $15.9 million, the full amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This total includes $7.5 million in new funding and $4.3 million in existing baseline funding to the Fund for a Healthy Maine, and $4.1 million in funding from a portion of the revenue from the tax on non-cigarette tobacco products.
"The restoration of funding for Maines tobacco prevention and control program will pay dividends in terms of lives and health care costs saved," said Cloutier. "The correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in tobacco use has created an emergency situation whereby prevention and control are crucial. Im grateful my colleagues recognized the urgency of this matter and supported initiatives to address it."
"We all know that tobacco use causes serious, preventable and often deadly health consequences, including cancer, diabetes and heart and respiratory diseases," said McCreight. "This boost in funding will help prevent people from starting to use tobacco and provide those trying to quit with resources to end their addiction."
Cloutier is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 60, part of the City of Lewiston. She sits on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
McCreight, House chair of the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell, West Bath and northeastern Brunswick.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Cloutier, McCreight], c. 812-1111