RALEIGH, N.C. — Starting Monday, teenagers across the state will see TV ads designed to give them the truth about the dangers of tobacco.

The

Tobacco Reality Unfiltered

campaign will run on youth-oriented TV networks. The ads focus on North Carolina teens talking about tobacco facts such as the state spending up to $4 billion each year treating people with smoking-related illnesses.

The

North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund

paid for the ads. The General Assembly created the trust fund to dish out North Carolina's share of the national tobacco settlement.

The state's Health and Wellness Trust Fund spent $1 million on the campaign, which also includes radio spots and the debut of a new Web site. The Web site includes video clips from teen advocates in North Carolina. It also has resources to help teens learn more about tobacco prevention.

Health officials claim smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in North Carolina.