TO THE EDITORS:

I read with amazement the article about the state helping to finance an expansion of Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co., with a package worth more than $4 million.

During a time when the budget has not yet been passed, when schools are not getting the funding they need to educate students, when social-service organizations are not able to provide services for youth and adults across the state, the legislators decide to fund expansion of a company that manufactures products damaging to people's health &tstr; cigars and smokeless tobacco.

After spending $4 million to help the expansion, how many more millions of dollars will the state have to pay in coming years for medical benefits to treat the cancers, heart problems, etc. caused by these products?

If legislators want to help the tobacco industry, then they should also help the young people of Pennsylvania by passing a budget now so students can be educated about the dangers of tobacco products.

Donna Becker
Martic Township