Jump to full article: Salem (MA) Evening News, 2002-08-05
Intro: Following is the statement released by the Massachusetts Coalition for a Healthy Future regarding the 80 percent cut in funding (from $48 million to $9.5 million) for the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program:
We are understandably disappointed at the drastic cuts to the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program (MTCP). However, we would like to thank the many legislators who worked tirelessly in their efforts to raise revenue in order to protect these crucial smoking cessation and prevention programs.
We are pleased that Massachusetts now has the highest state tobacco tax in the country. The 75-cent tax increase will encourage smokers to quit and discourage kids and teenagers from starting to smoke.
Since many local anti-smoking programs will soon be cut, we urge the Legislature to look at what policy initiatives can be completed on the state level. We call upon leadership to help pass clean indoor air laws, provide cessation treatment to our state's neediest individuals, and continue to work to keep cigarettes out of the hands of Massachusetts children.
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