For the record - Sept. 4, 2009

Tobacco tax: An Aug. 24 Op-Ed article on proposed state tobacco taxes suggested that “little, if any,” of the revenues generated would go toward lung cancer research, and incorrectly explained how one bill would divvy up the revenues. It said 15% of the total revenues would go to offset decreases in existing general healthcare and school healthcare programs, and 85% would go into the state’s general fund. In fact, the offset funds for those existing healthcare programs would come off the top of the revenues, and the remainder would be divided as follows: 15% would go to the state’s tobacco prevention and control program and to a new lung cancer detection and treatment research program; 85% would go into the general fund. It is estimated that the research program would receive $32 million -- 2.7% -- of an estimated $1.2 billion in annual revenue.