Maggie Fox of Reuters writes that a study released by the Cancer Action Network, the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that,
[A]dding a $1 per pack tax to cigarettes could raise more than $9 billion a year for states, health advocates said on Wednesday, and a poll released with the study shows Americans would support such a tax.
The poll, conducted by International Communications Research, found 60 percent of voters would support the tax to help struggling states and would prefer it over other tax increases or budget cuts.
“An increase in tobacco tax rates is not only sound public health policy but a smart and predictable way to help boost the economy and generate long-term health savings for states facing deepening budget deficits,” said John Seffrin, chief executive of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
“We have irrefutable evidence that raising the tobacco tax lowers smoking rates among adults and deters millions of children from picking up their first cigarette,” Seffrin said in a statement.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Tom Butler // Feb 11, 2010 at 8:45 am
Fools!
Implementing such a tax actually sends the message that everyone MUST smoke to help rescue the economy.
Then, these so-called experts say that taxing behavior causes less than that behavior. DUH! That’s basic economics.
But they can’t have it both ways. Raising the tax reduces smoking, and that’s good. On the other hand, raising the taxes eventually doesn’t fill the coffers, because they wind up with less revenue overall, not only from the new tax but from the existing taxes that go away with the resulting fewer number of smokers.
I suggest that Mr. Seffrin take an economics course or two to keep him from embarrassing himself with such ignorant, stupid statements.
2 Chad Bordeaux // Feb 11, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I agree 100% with Tom. In the long run this does nothing to “fill the coffers.”
It is more about the government controlling behavior than raising necessary tax dollars. It is yet one of many many attacks on our individual liberty.
Let me also add, that I hate smoking. BUT, if someone wants to do it, they should be free to do so. I don’t have the right to tell them they can’t, and neither should the government.
3 Jim // Jun 22, 2010 at 2:56 pm
And when Cigs are done whats next…US is Tax Happy and its killing the working class folks.
Since alcohol KILLS people and many more drink….I say tax that 1st
4 DJ // Sep 28, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I agree with all of you.I think it’s pothetic and we can cry all we want. But like the one thing pointed out is it about control are they pick out a minority purposely knowing that the majority wont back them up. That would be pure munipulation. so then the other person would be right by saying would they pick out another minority group to tax knowing that this way works because you notice there was’nt much out cry at all and soon as it is the budget it would be very difficult to reverse. so whos next not fair huh.
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