Money will go to tobacco cessation and prevention efforts

March 19, 2010

Washington, D.C. –Nevada Senator Harry Reid today announced that the Southern Nevada Health District will receive $14.6 million in Economic Recovery Act funds to support tobacco cessation and prevention efforts.   The project includes strategies to support elimination of tobacco industry sponsorships, as well as measures to curb the possession, use, and purchase of cigarettes by minors.  The funding is part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative. 

 “This is another example of Recovery Act dollars directly helping Nevadans,” said Reid.  “Nevadans have among the highest rates of lung cancer in our nation.  These funds along with the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which became law last June, will go a long way towards reducing the number of preventable deaths from tobacco in Nevada.”

“This grant award represents a tremendous opportunity for our community to not only sustain proven programs and strategies but to continue to build on our past successes,” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer of the Southern Nevada Health District.  “Without aggressive efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases – efforts embodied in the Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative – the rise in health care costs from preventable disease will remain unchecked and an increasing number of Nevadans will continue to suffer from tobacco related illness.”

###