SCHIP veto and cigarettes

The SCHIP proposal to extend health care insurance to American children in need was defeated by Presidential veto, but it isn't over yet.

Rep. Joe Knollenberg says it's just too expensive, that the special program should be limited to families earning $40,000 or less for a family of four.

Meanwhile other members of Congress are busy rounding up votes to override the veto.

The bottom line for the proposal is shaky. A federal tax of 61 cents for every pack of cigarettes is designed to pay for the extended health insurance. "It's not enough," say supporters of the veto. "We'd need 22 million new smokers."

Save the children. Smoke more.