Jump to full article: Associated Press (AP), 2009-11-29
Author: The Associated Press
Intro: New York's fiscal crisis is now expected to have to take another $10 million from the anti-tobacco program to help balance the state budget. Anti-smoking forces believe the proposal would end a TV ad campaign and eventually cost more in health care costs.
"That means a tremendous fall off of service," said Russ Sciandra, the director of the Center for a Tobacco Free New York. He said the latest cut is about three times the reduction most other state programs have faced, cutting funding to about $58 million this year from about $85 million a year ago.
Good riddance, said Audrey Silk of New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment.
"That department should be eliminated completely," she said. "While they report they have been effective, their reports are based on surveys of people reporting their own smoking habits. In a climate where you are so stigmatized and demonized for being a smoker, who will answer honestly?"
"It's a waste of taxpayer money. . . .
Sciandra, however, attributes a drop in smoking in New York, including teenagers, to the state's various programs and advertisements to discourage tobacco use.
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