Comments about ‘Utah ranked 12th in spending for smoking prevention’

The state allocated $7.2 Million for a stop smoking effort? That is ludicrous. At a time when we are laying off teachers and making budget cuts just to stay afloat, the Utah taxpayer is asked to spend $7.2 Million for some "stop smoking" advertisements? I would think our legislature could come up with a better use for that money. Like lowering my taxes and letting me keep it.

Re: FatherOfFour | 6:41 a.m. Dec. 6, 2011
"I would think our legislature could come up with a better use for that money"

Were you aware that this money was given to Utah by the Big 4 tobacco companies for this specific purpose after they lost a law suit? It wasn't the Utah taxpayers who paid for these advertisements.

I'm fine with Utah spending a minimum amount on anti-tobacco programs. I'd be happy if they spent nothing for such programs. Tobacco products should be taxed at the same rate everything else is.

Good work Utah, now how about tackling the drug problem that for whatever reason seems to be socially accepted? There's where the crimes are commited unlike cigarettes! Now tackle something that is really causing havoac on our society people, get after the total drug issue from selling, importing, to usage.

'Good work Utah, now how about tackling the drug problem that for whatever reason seems to be socially accepted?' - Vince | 8:27 a.m. Dec. 6, 2011

THANK you Vince!

*Study shows Utah a leading state in painkiller deaths By Geoffrey Fattah DSNews 11/02/11

According to a study released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah ranks fourth in the nation for the rate of fatal painkiller overdoses, ahead of Nevada, West Virginia and New Mexico.

*'Utahns think about suicide more than other Americans, study shows' - By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News - 10/21/11

However, I will give credit where it is due. I know, personally, people who have quit smoking in Utah.

So...

(Wait for it!)

(Wait for it!)

Well done Utah!

People still start smoking?

I figured with all the indisputable info about the negative health effects of smoking these days people wouldn't start and society would be left with waiting for old smokers to die out.

@ DeltaFoxtrot

I would think so too, but I'm amazed to see how many younger people in Oregon have decided to start smoking. I thought that the indisputable medical evidence of the dangers of smoking would deter more people, but I guess not. We can't even open our windows in the summer without getting the nasty smoke smell into our apartment. Someday I hope that all changes.