OLYMPIA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2000--The tobacco prevention budget released today by Democrats in the State House of Representatives is enough to help children throughout the state, according to the state Department of Health.

The budget keeps $100 million of tobacco settlement funds in the Tobacco Prevention and Control Account, and allows the department to use $20 million from the account next year. ``This budget upholds citizens' desire to use the tobacco settlement funds to prevent more people -- including children-- from becoming addicted to tobacco,'' said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. ``It supports a statewide program, although we will need to make some reductions in the original proposal.'' In 1999, the Legislature established the Tobacco Prevention and Control Account, earmarking $100 million for the prevention and reduction of tobacco use in Washington. Earlier this year, the health department recommended a statewide prevention program that would cost $26 million next year. The tobacco industry spends more than $100 million a year to market cigarettes and other tobacco products in Washington.

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