Effects of the Master Settlement Agreement on Smoking Among Nevada Teens: A Decade After Implementation and Implications of Reduced Funding

Background: Tobacco control programs that have adapted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Best Practices for a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program (CTCP) have been effective in reducing the rates of tobacco use. This paper investigates the effectiveness that Nevada’s tobacco control programs have had on teen tobacco use and rates to date and examines changes to programs given reduced Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) funding. Methods: Aggregate data from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services/Fund for a Healthy Nevada program was analyzed to determine if the tobacco control programs adapted the CDC’s Best Practices for a CTCP. Findings: The rates of teen tobacco use have declined steadily from the implementation of the MSA funded tobacco control programs in 2001 until the funding was reduced in 2010. Findings also show that CTCP programs have reduced their target goals due to reduced funding. Conclusions: Rates of tobacco consumption among teenage youth have shown a steady decline in Nevada since the implementation of effective tobacco control programs, but future funding practices jeopardize ongoing success of the programs.