In these tough economic times I was heartened to learn New York's anti-tobacco program is saving the state billions of dollars each year. In 2007, while other states anti-tobacco programs failed, New York saw a $1.5 billion savings in Medicaid costs alone. If New York's program continues, future savings could potentially reach $8 billion a year, the annual amount of money New York spends on treating smoking-caused disease.

National anti-smoking advocacy groups have acknowledged New York State's tobacco control program works. High school students smoking rates have dropped dramatically, from 32.9 percent in 1997 to 13.8 percent in 2007. New York continues to see a decline in youth smoking rates, while some states have not. Quite a feat, considering New York spends $84 million on tobacco control, only one-third of the CDC recommended amount of $254.3 million.

According to research smoking is a bigger killer than any disease in the developed world. Smoking kills more people than illegal drugs, alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, murders and suicides combined. Tobacco accounts for nearly 21 percent of all cancers. The list of diseases linked to smoking is staggering and has grown. In 2007 a peer reviewed journal strongly linked smoking to malignancies of the head and neck, including cancers of the nasal passages/nose, larynx, pharynx and oral cavities. Other research has shown current smokers were four times more likely to develop middle-age macular degeneration, an eye disease that can lead to blindness.

New York State's tobacco control program is life saving. We need to keep the momentum going, continued funding will benefit all people of New York.

Anne Corona

Skaneateles