Bob McCarty Writes

I’m not a smoker, but I might have an answer to the mystery of why, according to a just-released report (pdf) from a coalition of public health organizations, Missouri ranks 49th in the nation in funding programs to protect kids from tobacco.

First, some background from a news release about the report:

• Missouri currently spends $2.7 million a year on tobacco prevention programs, which is 3.7 percent of the $73.2 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

• Missouri has slightly increased funding for tobacco prevention over the past year, from $1.5 million to $2.7 million, but is still falling far short of what is needed.

My conclusion: Perhaps they goofed in designing a campaign logo (above) for use in the Show-Me State?  They should have used this one.

To see where your state ranks, click here (pdf).

[Editor's Note: It's a parody, people!  Please don't send me flame mail and hateful comments.]