Posted: Sun Oct 27 2002
Anti-Tobacco Ad Campaign To Change Focus

Missouri's smoking prevention program announced today that they have virtually depleted their funds and will no longer run anti-smoking ads. According to the state budget director, the remaining funds will be used for salary increases to retain the highly trained staff.

The director of the program, which is entirely funded by tobacco taxes, said that the recent state cigarette tax increase had forced people to purchase cigarettes from other states where taxes were lower. "Some people are even buying their cigarettes over the Internet" he said.

As a result, the smoking prevention program is changing it's focus. The Director of the program is now asking people to "Pick up an extra pack - just in case!" so the anti-smoking effort can be maintained. He continued, "How are we going to keep kids from smoking if people don't buy cigarettes? You know, money doesn't grow on trees, and these ads cost real money."


--Gary Randayn