WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-State Restores Tobacco Prevention Funds
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Montpelier, Vermont - June 5, 2009
Vermont smokers who want to kick the habit are going to get some help from the state after all.
Lawmakers partially reinstated funding for the state's tobacco control efforts before adjourning Wednesday. That funding, totaling $1.9 million, was supposed to be cut in the new state budget. But lawmakers voted to restore most of that, using a $1.5 million transfer from the state's tobacco trust fund.
Officials estimate the state government saves up to $5 million every year in Medicaid costs thanks to quit smoking initiatives. A record number of smokers are calling the state-run hotlines because of skyrocketing cigarette taxes.
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