TOBACCO: Yes to tax increase

As a practicing pediatrician in North Idaho I would like to say I strongly support legislation that would increase the tobacco tax as it has been clearly shown that the increase in tax would decrease the incidence of children initiating use of tobacco products. Tobacco is an addictive product and most adults who are addicted to them started as a child. Tobacco is linked to many health problems and preventing any one child from starting use will ultimately help them not ever have these health problems in their life. Please take these facts under consideration and pass this legislation.

BETH A. MARTIN

Coeur d'Alene