Keep funding for tobacco control

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Letter to the Editor
Times Union

It's on everybody's radar these days -- the prohibitive cost of health care as well as the hefty state budget deficit.

During tough economic times the first impulse is to cut government spending. For our New York State Tobacco Control Program, however, a cut in spending would only make the state budget woes even worse.

The annual health care cost in New York directly caused by smoking is $8.17 billion. Continued funding of the tobacco control program will assist more people in quitting, resulting in a decrease in future health care costs.

Let's encourage our legislators not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Jeri Bosman R.N.
The Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health
Albany