Lawmakers Consider Tobacco Fund Securitization Proposal

State leaders recetly announced plans in biennial budget propsals to securitize, or sell, future tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) payments for a one-time, upfront payment of $5 billion. None of the plans for this lump-sum payment include funding for the reason for the lawsuit in the first place: reducing the disease, death, and hefty healthcare costs caused by tobacco. If the Governor's plan is approved by the Ohio Legislature, it would eliminate future MSA funding to the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation as well as the repayment of the $568 million intended for tobacco prevention that has already been diverted by lawmakers. The QUIT LINE is just one of several valuable programs provided with MSA monies. You can pledge your support and get involved in the campaign to ensure tobacco settlement dollars are used to provide Ohioans with effective tobacco prevention and cessation services by going to www.secureohiosfuture.com.