By Stu Johnson/KPR
Frankfort, KY – The future of support for Kentucky's Tobacco and Research Development Center may include more money from private sources. The revenue issue was discussed during a research board meeting Monday. The Center, located on the University of Kentucky's campus, receives one half cent from every pack of cigarettes sold in the state. Those funds have been declining as cigarette sales drop. Board member and state senator Joey Pendleton is among those looking for other financial sources.
"Well we've got a lot to do at the center here is to look and see where we're gonna get additional income and as I see it partnering with pharmaceutical companies or other industry to help do research for them and get paid for it," He says.
Pendleton doesn't expect the state lawmakers to raise the cigarette tax this upcoming session. He says there appears to be more interest in moving forward with more smoke free communities across the state.