THE ROUNDHOUSE IN SANTA FE WAS THE SITE WEDNESDAY FOR A RALLY WITH NUMEROUS HEALTH GROUPS, INCLUDING THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. SANDRA ADONDAKIS WITH THE SOCIETY’S CANCER ACTION NETWORK SAYS THE GROUPS WANT LAWMAKERS TO FULLY FUND PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE TOBACCO USE. SHE SAYS THEY’VE ASKED THEM TO INVEST IN TOBACCO PREVENTION PROGRAMS. SHE SAYS THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT IS THE HEALTH OF FUTURE GENERATIONS IN NEW MEXICO.
THE GROUPS ARE ALSO CALLING FOR A ONE DOLLAR TAX HIKE ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES.
ADONDAKIS SAYS THE PROGRAMS COULD BE CUT SINCE THE LEGISLATURE, DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, USED NEARLY 220-MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT PERMANENT FUND TO LOWER THE BUDGET DEFICIT .
