In a state that has a higher percentage of smokers per capita than the national average, a new smoking cessation program for the poor makes sense on a number of fronts.

The S.C. Department of Health and Human Services has approved a program to provide aids to help the poor kick the smoking habit by using funds from Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor, but it first must get approval from federal officials. Health officials are optimistic about approval for the program because South Carolina is getting in on the program late; 39 other states already have similar programs.

South Carolinians die of smoking-related illinesses at a high rate, an estimated 4,100 people each year. That is more than 11 people a day 365 days a year. While health officials estimate that the cost of smoking cessation aids will cost about $500,000 a year that is a small percentage of the $65 million state officials estimate they spend each year on smoking-related health problems. Sara Hutchinson, federal and state policy director for the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Tobacco Cessation, estimates that 25 percent of South Carolinians smoke, but that Medicaid recipients are 50 percent more likely to smoke than other people. That is reason enough to start the program.

A doctor would have to prescribe the aids such as patches, inhalers, sprays, prescription drugs, gums and lozenges which would be paid for by Medicaid, but it would have enormous benefit for poor people. While some would say that a person who can afford a pack of cigarettes could invest the money in a cessation program, funding it through Medicaid could make people healthier. South Carolinians already lead the nation in several poor health categories, including deaths from smoking- related problems such as heart attacks.

A drawback to this program is that state and federal officials can't make people take advantage of it. Estimates from other states are that only 10 percent of Medicaid-eligible people see a physician and take advantage of the program.

Still 10 percent is a start. But the state should try to improve that percentage by advertising the program in many places.

While South Carolina is late to take advantage of the program, it is never too late.