As you have probably read in the newspapers, the tobacco industry has agreed to a huge monetary settlement with 46 states. The settlement was obtained to reimburse the states for Medicaid expenditures for health care costs spent on persons with tobacco-related diseases. These funds will become available for use by state governments beginning in Fiscal Year 2000 and will be distributed until 2018. The funds can be used for programs to assist individuals who have been affected by smoking, to help people quit smoking, and for smoking prevention programs.
Older people are among the groups who have been most affected by smoking.
We know that, in many cases, expenditures have been and will continue to be focused on helping older people. I think you will find these materials to be very helpful as you formulate your plan of action.