Tobacco.org

• Smoking critics irked as D.C. diverts tobacco funds 

Anti-smoking activists want the D.C. Council to devote new funding for cessation programs after the body voted to hike the cigarette tax and raid the tobacco settlement fund but dedicate the associated revenue to the budget shortfall.

At-large Councilman David Catania, chairman of the health committee, served up the tobacco fund during last week's closed-door deficit sessions. When members threatened to raise property and other taxes rather than cut more from the budget, Catania offered additional dollars from the settlement fund to bridge the gap.

The pot was ultimately drained of nearly $27 million.

"No one likes having to use part of these proceeds for gap-closing measures, but the alternative was worse, and that's why we recommended that we use a portion, not all," Catania said Thursday. "There still will be substantial tobacco funds held in reserves for future activities."

The council also backed a cigarette tax increase, from $2 to $2.50 per pack. The associated revenue, expected to be $9.7 million in 2010, will flow to the general fund.

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