The American Heart Association has banned the Miss New Hampshire group from marching in the annual Heart Walk in Manchester because the group accepts money from the tobacco industry, WMUR reported April 27.

An antismoking education program led by Miss New Hampshire Emily Hughes is funded by tobacco company R.J. Reynolds. "The American Heart Association has a national policy that prohibits us from working with organizations that accept funds from the tobacco industry," said Deborah Hornor, AHA's regional vice president.

The group said that Miss New Hampshire representatives can take part in the Heart Walk as individuals, but not under a team banner as it has for the past six years. "It's too bad for them and too bad for us, but that's what this country is all about -- your ability to have two opinions and act on them," said Miss New Hampshire head Bob Oxford. "They acted on theirs, and we acted on ours."