I would like to acknowledge the following school districts for their participation and commitment to the Tobacco-Free Schools Initiative: Moravia, Port Byron, Southern Cayuga, and Cato-Meridian. By joining other schools involved in this statewide effort funded by the New York State Tobacco Control Program, these schools have taken the bold step toward reducing youth tobacco initiation and exposure to secondhand smoke by enhancing and communicating effective district tobacco policies.

The success of this statewide effort is demonstrated by the startling reduction in youth smoking rates. New York state smoking rates among high school students declined by 58 percent between 1997 and 2007, providing evidence that program and policy changes in our state are having an effect. Still, tobacco use remains the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States.

As the state deals with serious budget problems, taxpayers should know that, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, each $1 invested in comprehensive tobacco control results in a $3 savings in tobacco-related health care costs for the state. Sustaining such a wise investment and supporting the initiatives of the New York State Tobacco Control Program is essential to preventing youth tobacco use, reducing disease, and saving money!

Stacy A. McNeill

Syracuse

McNeill, M.S., is School Tobacco Policy coordinator for Oswego and Cayuga

counties, OCM BOCES