Arizonans are smoking less. And while that is good for public health, it's also leaving an early childhood development agency looking for new sources of funding.
In 2006, Arizona voters approved an 80-cent-a-pack tax on cigarettes that funded the First Things First organization with about $165 million a year.
Nearly 20 years later, that organization annually is taking in less than $90 million from the tax.
First Things First provides grants to smaller community groups and parents to help with things like improving childcare and ensuring children are ready for kindergarten.
Joe Barba, First Things First senior director of Government Affairs, wants legislative support to extend that levy to vape products.
A similar effort failed to pass in committee earlier this year.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been updated to correct Joe Barba's job title.
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