Tennessee ranks 34th in state spending for tobacco prevention targeting children and teenagers, but Gov. Phil Bredesen and state legislators still got an pat on the back recently from an anti-smoking group. That’s because the state went from allocating nothing for tobacco prevention to earmarking $10 million for such efforts.

The same elected officials also got a scolding from the national Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Nationally Tennessee ranks 34th among states in spending on programs to convince children to remain tobacco free. That’s better than last year when Tennessee landed in last place and earmarked nothing for tobacco prevention. The advocacy group publishes annual rankings.

But state spending in Tennessee remains well below the $32 million federal health officials have recommended the state devote to tobacco prevention.

The funds come from the 1998 settlement officials from Tennessee and other states reached with major tobacco companies.

After falling for several years, the percentage of American adults and high school students has stalled. Federal officials estimate about 23 percent of high school students and nearly 21 percent of adults smoke.

Smoking increases a person’s risk of developing a range of health problems, including cancer and heart disease.

More information about the report is available at the group’s Web site.