According to a report released on March 12 by the American Lung Association of Maine, tobacco accounts for about 18 percent of the deaths in Maine and six percent of the hospitalizations. Almost 2,200 Maine people die each year from tobacco related illnesses, and over 9,000 are hospitalized.

By increasing the cigarette excise tax and providing substantial funding for smoking prevention and control programs, Maine has managed to reduce smoking among high school youth by 50 percent. However, we must continue to support these successful programs.

Tobacco prevention and control is only one of nine prevention programs funded by tobacco settlement money via the Fund for a Healthy Maine. The fund is a special pot of money set up by the Maine Legislature to promote health and prevent disease. However, over the past two years, almost 40 percent of the fund has been siphoned off for other purposes.

LD 1612, a bill currently being considered by the Legislature, would allow voters to decide in November if the Fund for a Healthy Maine should be permanently protected by a constitutional amendment. Legislators need to hear how important prevention efforts are reducing future health care costs and improving the quality of life in our state. Maine people need to speak out because the long-term health and financial costs of abandoning this investment far outweigh the value of the dollars today.
Dale H. Morrell, board member, American Lung Association of Maine, Lewiston

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