Tobacco tax spending debated in Colorado

Colorado's health department is coming under scrutiny from a western Colorado lawmaker who says the agency is wrongly using tobacco tax money for lobbying efforts. Health officials reply that lobbying local governments to pass anti-tobacco policies not covered by the state's no-smoking ban is an appropriate use of the money.

Republican Sen. Steve King says he may propose a bill to ban tobacco taxes to be used on lobbying. The (Grand Junction) Sentinel reports that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been spending about $3.5 million a year promoting local anti-tobacco policies. The practice was reviewed by a legislative audit. Auditors concluded that the law wasn't clear on whether the tobacco tax could be used to lobby for policy initiatives.