Fallout from big business greed should not jeopardize the physical and financial health of all New Yorkers. That is exactly what will happen if government officials choose to temporarily alleviate budget deficits by decreasing funds to the Tobacco Control Program. This is inequitable because the New York State Tobacco Control Program actually pays for itself and then some.

The hard facts are that more than 570,000 New York residents suffer from a serious smoking-caused disease with medical costs of a whopping $22.4 million per day. I recently read that for every $1 spent on comprehensive tobacco control, there is a $3 savings in tobacco-caused health care expenditures. New York's nationally-recognized program is particularly effective because it places a strategic emphasis on our youth.

While most states have seen a leveling off of youth smoking declines, New York rates have continued to steadily drop. The smoking rate among New York high school students has decreased from 32.9 percent in 1997 to 13.8 percent in 2007. Reports from other states confirm that decreases in funding to tobacco control programs can rapidly slow or reverse the gains made in the reduction of youth tobacco use. The leaders of New York state cannot afford to let this happen.

Contrary to public belief, revenue generated from the cigarette excise tax does not directly fund the Tobacco Control Program; instead, it is placed in the general fund to be used at the discretion of the legislators. Now is not the time to cut funding to the Tobacco Control Program. New York's current annual investment in tobacco control represents less than four days worth of smoking-caused health care costs.

In a time where government is stepping in to bail out irresponsibility on multiple levels, it is prudent and downright necessary to preserve a program with a proven track record of life altering change and financial success.

Carol McNeill

Auburn