The Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health appreciates the Bangor Daily News’ Nov. 16 story about the latest reductions in youth smoking. However, three points need to be clarified.

First, Maine does not spend $14 million annually on “anti-smoking publicity.” That is the budget for the whole tobacco program, of which media and other efforts to counter the onslaught of tobacco industry messages are only a small part. School and community programs, treatment programs such as the Maine Tobacco HelpLine, enforcement efforts and restrictions on youth access to tobacco products are all vital elements funded through Maine’s program.

Second, the story implied that the very recent cigarette tax increase was a primary cause of the recent decline in youth smoking. While the new tax increase will definitely help to further reduce youth smoking in the future, the data showing the recent decline was gathered before the tax increase went into effect. The decline is due to a variety of components of Maine’s comprehensive tobacco program, including earlier tax increases.

Finally, it is correct that tobacco companies have the right to adjust their tobacco settlement payments when smoking declines nationally. Fortunately, Maine is such a small state that its success in reducing youth and adult smoking will not have any perceptible impact on those payments.

Judith A. Dorsey

Policy analyst

Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health

Augusta