Iowa’s Attorney General is lamenting the way both republican legislators and the democrat Governor are using money tobacco companies are paying the state in a legal settlement. Two years ago, state leaders agreed to use the money for health care purposes and smoking prevention iniatives, but now some of the money’s being used to cover holes in the state budget. Attorney General Tom Miller is worried the budget for smoking prevention programs will be cut and used for other purposes.Iowa’s been spending about nine MILLION dollars on smoking prevention programs, and lawmakers and the Governor propose the same level of spending next year. Miller, though, would like to see more spent on programs that help smokers quit and encourage others never to start.
