All but four states — including Utah — fail to adequately fund tobacco prevention programs, according to a new report on the fifth anniversary of the 1998 Tobacco Settlement.

"Utah has invested a modest amount in protecting its kids from tobacco but is falling far short of the amount recommended by the experts at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)," William V. Cott, executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids," said in a press release. "We have conclusive evidence from around the country that tobacco prevention programs work to protect kids, save lives and save money for taxpayers by reducing health care costs. Even in these difficult budget times, tobacco prevention remains one of the smartest and most fiscally responsible investments that Utah can make."

However, the new report shows that Utah has improved from 21st to 15th place among the CDC 50 states ranking in the past year.

Only Maine, Delaware, Mississippi and Arkansas — first through fourth place — are reported to be within the minimum recommendations in funding by the CDC.

Utah is spending $7 million, or currently 46 percent of the CDC recommendation of at least $15.2 million on Tobacco prevention programs.

"We feel like we've been fortunate with our funding from the state legislature," Lena Dibble, state Tobacco Prevention and Control Program media coordinator, said regarding the way the state's budget has been so tight in recent years.

She admits the state has a long way to go in its tobacco use prevention programs, but that Utah has seen a decrease in smoking rates. Compared to 1999, a smaller percentage of students and adults smoke and more smokers want to quit.

Utah's accomplishments through its programs in the past year include:

• 14,000 Utahns called the Tobacco Quit Line.

• 3,746 smokers used Quit Line referral or quit services.

• More than 1,800 smokers participated in local cessation services.

• Quit rates of the Quit Line ranged from 25-35 percent (higher than the national average).

• 96 percent of Utah's middle school students report that they will not smoke a cigarette at anytime during the next year.

• 12,000 students in grades 5 to 8 participated in proven anti-tobacco curricula.

• 5,000 entries were created by students (K-12) statewide for the "Truth from Youth Anti-tobacco Advertising Contest." Despite this success, Dibble said Utah is looking to concentrate on stronger policies against second-hand smoke, as well as hoping to get more help from employers for employees who want to quit smoking.

Utah has some of the most youth per capita in the nation, but Dibble said it's very hard to show statistics on preventing youth from smoking. Youth is the key time for tobacco prevention programs, though.

"However, it's very rare for people to start smoking in adulthood," she said.

On average 1,218 Utahns die annually of smoking-related illnesses. Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of death in Utah.

For information on Utah's tobacco programs, go online to www.tobaccofreeutah.org.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com