Anti-smoking images are one reason New York has become a leader in tobacco prevention.
"The smoking rate among middle school kids was getting close to zero," said Russell Sciandra, with the American Cancer Society.
But Governor Paterson's most recent proposed cuts are threatening that. Sciandra said that in the past year, cuts to New York's anti-tobacco program have decreased advertising. That's prevented the message from getting out.
"In 2008 we saw the first time in years a decrease in the number of quit attempts," he said.
Just last week, the Governor's revised plan called for $10 million in cuts. That is up from the $1.75 million proposed in October.
"You're just setting the State up for bigger costs down the road, costs that could be avoided, if people didn't smoke," he said.
The Governor's Budget Office said that these cuts won't affect New York's success. Spokesperson Matt Anderson said that, "we will continue to conduct a state-wide advertising campaign, provide free nicotine patches to smokers, and operate the toll-free 1-866-NY-QUITS help line."
Sciandra disagrees. And said that today's announcement is making him even more concerned. He said that the longer Legislators go without an agreement, the more money he's afraid will be drained from anti-tobacco programs.
"I think it's quite possible we will see an increase in smoking rates because of these cuts," he said.
The Governor's Office said that this plan still needs to be approved by the Legislature. And that it would still provide more than $50 million in funding. Sciandra said that two years ago, the program's budget was more than $85 million.
