SET underwrites health programs, projects

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  • SET underwrites health programs, projects
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OKLAHOMA CITY – November marked the 20th anniversary of voters’ creation of Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), a grant-making state agency devoted to preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease, Oklahoma’s leading causes of death. Past accomplishments and new initiatives give Oklahomans reason to be proud of TSET.

In 1998, 46 states, including Oklahoma, reached the Master Settlement Agreement with Big Tobacco, resolving a lawsuit over the tobacco industry’s practice of lying to the public about smoking dangers. Oklahoma voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2000 that safeguarded the bulk of the master settlement payments in an endowment – the investment earnings of which fund grants and programs to improve health.

On November 3, voters affirmed the wisdom of TSET’s structure when each of Oklahoma’s 77 counties rejected a state question that sought to reduce the contribution to the TSET endowment. This vote upholds the voter-created structure that funds tobacco use cessation and prevention, cancer research, community-based programs and other initiatives that improve quality of life.

Since 2000, TSET’s funding of cancer research has given Oklahoman access to cutting-edge cancer treatment. TSET’s funding of phase 1 clinical trials helped the Stephenson Cancer Center achieve the prestigious National Cancer Institute designation.

To date, TSET has funded not only the Stephenson Cancer Center but also the TSET Health Promotion Research Center and the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research. For every dollar TSET has invested, research institutions have attracted an additional $3 in outside funding.

TSET also addresses physician shortages. This year, TSET’s partnership with the Physician Manpower Training Commission filled all 42 slots in its loan repayment program, which helps pay off medical school loans when doctors agree to practice in rural and under-served areas.

The Healthy Living Program is another TSET success. Now in its second five-year grant cycle, the program works at the local level to improve health and make it easy for people to make healthy choices. In the first five years of the grant program, more than 2,000 tobacco-free and wellness policies were adopted by schools, businesses, city governments and community organizations.

Policies help shape the environment. Tobacco-free policies protect the public from toxic secondhand smoke and encourage tobacco users to quit. Thanks to the work of TSET grantees at the local level, more than 80% of school districts had adopted a tobacco-free policy before state law was enacted to protect all Oklahoma children from tobacco and e-cigarette use.

TSET remains committed to preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease. Visit tset. ok.gov.