The proposed grant period will run from September 2000 through the end of August 2001. The state plans to use the funds it presently receives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the new allocated state general funds and interest earned from the tobacco settlement funds with the funds it hopes to receive from the American Legacy Foundation grant to implement a statewide comprehensive tobacco prevention and education program. Among initiatives that the state intends to emphasis are outreach to high risk and Native American youth and funding for a hard hitting youth driven media campaign, similar to successful programs in Florida and one recently kicked-off in Minnesota. Smith stressed that the Tobacco Education Project has been working with youth around the state to gain input for the grant application. The American Legacy Foundation will announce awards to successful applicants on July 31, 2000.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death.
It accounts for 1 of every 6 deaths in South Dakota, more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combines. The grant program adds an essential grassroots element to what is the most comprehensive, integrated tobacco control program in our nation's history. Statewide programs are an indispensable component of effective tobacco control efforts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Foundation's Statewide Youth Movement Against Tobacco Use grants are available to the 46 states and six territories identified in the Master Settlement Agreement with tobacco product manufacturers. They are designed to build or extend statewide youth movements against tobacco use.