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As deficit looms, so do concerns that the state will slash money for resource to help users quit
Jump to full article: Albany (NY) Times-Union, 2003-01-04
Author: ALAN WECHSLER, Staff writer
Intro: A hot line offering help to 104,000 smokers could go up in smoke itself as the state faces an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion deficit, its director fears.
Dr. Michael Cummings, director of New York State Smokers Quitline, said the $500,000-a-year program based at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo could fall victim to budget cuts. It has been operating for two years.
"Anybody who's in the position of receiving funds recognizes the state has some tough decisions to be making," Cummings said.
"The state collects a huge amount from revenues," he said, referring to the high cigarette taxes, now $1.50 a pack. "This is a service (the state) can point to where they give something right back to the people paying the taxes." . .
Cummings said he hoped the state will continue to fund the hot line, although he agreed that other parties should be more responsible. "I'd be perfectly happy to send a bill to Philip Morris," he said.
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