EDITORIAL NO ON PROP. 28.

PROPOSITION 28 seeks to repeal Proposition 10, approved last year by voters to raise cigarette taxes by 50 cents a pack to support child development programs.

If the supporters of Proposition 28 had waited longer, perhaps they could have made a compelling case that counties aren't moving quickly enough to spend the $680 million in revenue generated annually for additional child care, children's health programs, day care and on getting pregnant women to stop smoking.

But in truth, Proposition 10 hasn't had a chance to succeed, or fail. It's only been in place a year, and it's taken California's counties that long to conduct extensive public hearings and formulate programs that best serve children.

Most counties are close to getting their plans approved. Los Angeles County has submitted its proposal to spend $90 million of the $170 million that it will get annually on children's programs.

The money has not been wasted, or misspent, and under the law the Legislature can't get its hands on it.

Proposition 28 is sour grapes from the losing side. The sponsor of the initiative is the president of a chain of stores called ``Cigarettes Cheaper!'' Enough said.

The Daily News recommends a no vote on Proposition 28.