Funding for anti-tobacco efforts is taking a hit as governments and philanthropies switch their preventive-health focus to fighting obesity, says The New York Times.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest private grant maker for anti-smoking efforts, trimmed tobacco-related grants to $4-million last year while committing $58-million to the weight issue. With Michelle Obama leading a campaign against childhood obesity, the White House steered $1.15-billion from the economic-stimulus and health-care overhaul bills toward the fight against fat, compared to $200-million for preventing tobacco use.
States are also cutting back on funds for anti-smoking programs, raising concerns among tobacco-control organizations. Enditem |
