While far from scientific, our weekly Internet poll foundoverwhelmingly that readers think the state of Mississippi shouldhave control over tobacco settlement funds currently being divertedto a non-profit group.

By an almost 3-to1-margin, visitors to our Web site said the $20million annual payments currently going to the Partnership for aHealthy Mississippi should be under the oversight of the state ofMississippi. The non-profit group uses the money to promoteanti-smoking programs across the state and has complete controlover usage of the tobacco funds.

A political battle that pits Gov. Haley Barbour against formerAttorney General Mike Moore’s non-profit group over fiduciarycontrol of the money has been a hot potato for several years. SinceDecember 2000, a chancery court order has continued directing themoney to the Partnership.

Barbour proposes to split the $20 million between specifichealth care and drug use areas, including a toned down campaign topromote anti-smoking. Barbour feels that legislative control ofthose funds is vital.

Apparently, many of our newspaper and Internet readers agreewith the governor.