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.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)