Anti-smoking program a target of state cuts

ALBANY -- New York's fiscal crisis is expected to take another $10 million from an anti-tobacco program to help balance the state budget.

Anti-smoking forces believe the funding shift would end a TV ad campaign and eventually cost more in health care costs.

The independent Center for a Tobacco Free New York says the latest proposed cut would also reduce funding for programs that provide free nicotine patches and help Medicaid patients quit smoking.

Gov. David Paterson proposes the cut as he seeks to address a $3.2 billion deficit and comes after other cuts in funding earlier this year during New York's worsening fiscal crisis.

New York City Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment says the quit-smoking programs have questionable benefit anyway.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)