November 30, 2009

 

     In trying to solve the state's fiscal crisis, Governor David Paterson is expected to pull funding for the state's anti-tobacco program.
     Advocates say the state's anti-tobacco program has proven very effective, and these proposed funding cuts would be a step in the wrong direction.
     Cassie Coombs, Director of the Southern Tier Tobacco Awareness Community Partnership or STTAC, tells me youth smoking rates are the lowest they've ever been in the state.
     Governor Paterson’s plan to cut $10 million could be devastating to STTAC's programs.
     “We really want to see the program continue to reduce those rates, but also offer assistance to the adults that want to quit as well,” Coombs said.
     Right now, STTAC reaches tobacco users in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.
     But Coombs says a funding cut would limit the communities they're able to serve.
     The governor's plan could also reduce funding for programs that provide free nicotine patches.
     Last year, the state yanked $40,000 from STACC's funding.
     Coombs says that's taken a toll on the program's effectiveness, and this would only make it worse.
     “For the community members they're not getting that outreach,” she said. “Those smokers that want to quit, we've seen a reduction in quit-line calls.”
     A spokesman for Governor Paterson says the state will continue the anti-smoking advertising campaign and still provide free nicotine patches to smokers.