Utah falling short in tobacco-cessation funding

SALT LAKE CITY — A new report published by the American Lung Association indicates that Utah is falling short when it comes to helping smokers quit.

According to the study, the recently passed federal health care reform plan will help many Americans have access to comprehensive cessation coverage, but there is still a need for states to enact legislation that ensures all Americans have access to the coverage.

"When it comes to quit-smoking treatments that save lives, it's crucial that state policymakers close the coverage gap. The federal government has gone a long way to address the problem, but it didn't go far enough," said American Lung Association president and CEO Charles D. Connor.

Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, sponsored several tobacco-related bills last year, and he says he wants to make sure that state employees get the cessation coverage they need.

"In the Legislature, we will definitely look into making sure people have access to what they need to quit," Ray said, "If you can get someone to quit smoking, you can save a lot of money."

Because state employees receive coverage from the Public Employee Health Program, which does not rely on state funds, Ray estimates that this type of coverage will cost the state no money.

"I can tell you that we will encourage and strongly recommend that state employees receive this coverage, if we find it is necessary," said Ray.

To be considered comprehensive, cessation coverage must include access to seven medications and three types of counseling found to effectively treat nicotine dependence. Currently, five states ensure access to all types of medication and counseling to state employees; in Utah, state employees are only offered access to four medications and are not covered for any type of counseling.

With smokers facing higher tobacco prices and a growing number of smoke-free laws, more and more smokers are looking to quit, the study found. It stresses that Utah needs to follow the examples of other states that are increasing cessation coverage, and suggests that this can be done without straining state budgets.

In response to learning that Utah spends $7.1 million per year, which is only 30 percent of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for tobacco prevention and cessation programs Ray said: "It's all about money, it all comes down to the budget."

"Last year, we had to cut a billion dollars from the state budget, and it's too bad, but prevention programs are the first to go when you make cuts like that."