Tobacco.org

Hawai'i Cigarette Tax Increase Delivers Victory for Kids and Taxpayers 

Hawai'i leaders have taken an important step to protect the state's kids and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco use by increasing the state cigarette tax by 60 cents to $2.60 per pack on July 1 – giving the state the third highest cigarette tax in the nation. The state cigarette tax will further increase by 20 cents per pack annually in July 2010 and July 2011, reaching a total of $3 per pack. Governor Linda Lingle signed the cigarette tax increase into law Thursday. The Hawai'i Legislature also voted to override the governor's veto of legislation to also increase the tax on most other tobacco products.

Higher tobacco taxes are a win-win-win solution for Hawai'i – a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise revenue for critical state programs, and a political win that polls show is popular with the voters.

Jump to full article »

• Hawaii taxes to go up July 1 as lawmakers override governor 

The dramatic final week of the state legislative session wound down yesterday with Democratic lawmakers following through on a promise to override Gov. Linda Lingle's vetoes of four measures that will increase taxes to balance the state budget.

Hawai'i now has the highest income tax rate for top bracket earners in the country, and visitors paying $200 a night for a hotel room will pay an additional $4 in taxes by 2011.

Leveraging their overwhelming majority in the state Senate and House of Representatives, Democratic legislators increased state income taxes on the wealthy, the hotel-room tax, the conveyance tax on the sale of luxury and second homes, and a tax on tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and cigars. . . .

* The tax on the wholesale price of tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or pipe tobacco, will rise from 40 percent to 70 percent starting at the end of September. The state's tax on the wholesale price of cigars would increase from 40 percent to 50 percent, and smaller cigars that resemble cigarettes would be taxed like cigarettes.

* The state's 10-cent-per-cigarette tax will rise by 2 cents in July, in addition to the 1-cent increase already scheduled, bringing the tax to 13 cents.

Jump to full article »

Tobacco fund not of much help to Ilocos Sur farmers 

CANDON, Ilocos Sur--From 1996 to 2008, the provincial government here received some P5.816 billion from the national government's tobacco excise tax collection. But the likes of Cesar Despe, a third-generation tobacco farmer, just shrug their shoulder when asked how the tobacco fund has helped them.

Jump to full article »

The History Of Tort Reform - A Story of Corporate Greed And A Conspiracy Against Justice For The People 

Richard Middleton, Jr. past president of the American Association of Justice (AAJ) describes where the concept of tort reform originated:

It is no secret that, for more than three decades, business interests have invested billions of dollars to sell the public a distorted view of a legal system that is justifiably envied throughout the world. They say rampant litigiousness requires tort "reform" that restricts the legal rights of injured people, not those of businesses suing businesses, which account for most litigation. What they seek, really, is corporate welfare-assurance that their misdeeds will be paid for not by them, but by others.

For the last 15 years, insurance companies, manufacturers of dangerous products and chemicals, the tobacco industry and other major industries have been engaged in a nationwide assault on the civil justice system. In nearly every state and in Congress, corporations and their insurers have waged a relentless campaign to change the laws that give sick and injured consumers the ability to hold their offenders responsible for the injuries they cause. . .

Perhaps the public is more ready to understand this tort reform conspiracy against their rights, and threat to the country, after seeing the unbelievable financial misconduct of Wall Street, AIG, Enron and The Madoffs of the world. . . .

A great place to start to hear what our greatest consumer advocates say about who is behind tort reform - who invented the term tort reform - a lot can be learned by looking behind the curtain to see who is really the wizard of Oz?. The Report entitled "The CALA [Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse] Files - The Secret Campaign by Big Tobacco and Other Major Industries to Take Away your Rights," by the Center for Justice and Democracy (CJ&D) and Public Citizen names the players: . . .

These groups are organized and coordinate their activities:

Right-wing funding patterns support lock-step coordination. One example of this coordination is a weekly meeting hosted by Grover Norquist, of the Scaife/Coors/Olin /Bradley (among others)-funded Americans for Tax Reform, and attended by representatives of the funding foundations

Jump to full article »

EDITORIAL: Don't raid tobacco fund  

Despite overwhelming opposition in testimony, Hawaii legislators appear set on diverting money from states' 1998 national settlement with tobacco companies in order to help balance the budget. The factually based warning that such a diversion would be penny-wise and pound-foolish -- costing more in health care than that saved from reduced smoking -- appears to have fallen on deaf ears. . . .

The tax increases could help offset the reduction in funding for the anti-tobacco campaign. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that a 10 percent increase in cigarette prices reduces consumption by 3 percent to 5 percent and discourages young people from becoming addicted.

Of course, the tax increases combined with an active campaign against smoking would be even more effective.

Jump to full article »

Tobacco product endangers kids  

Some say the new Camel Snus is a hit nationwide. With this new product, the tobacco company hopes to cash in with those who prefer smokeless tobacco. The colorful and attractive packaging, some say, tempt children and teens into thinking that the product is like candy or an appealing treat. . .

Some might claim that smokeless tobacco is safer, but the research shows that even smokeless tobacco can cause cancer and other health problems because it contains carcinogens. Health officials are upset because they think the tobacco company is targeting children.

Jump to full article »

Tourist tax increase bill sent to Hawaii governor  

After a spirited debate over taxes and the extent of sacrifices by public employees in tough economic times, the Hawaii House and Senate on Wednesday sent Gov. Linda Lingle a package of measures to increase tourist, cigarette and income taxes. . . .

_ Hike per-cigarette taxes from 11 cents to 13 cents on July 1, to 14 cents a year later, and to 15 cents on July 1, 2011. A separate measure would also raise levies on other tobacco products. Together, the bills would generate between $26 million and $28 million a year.

Jump to full article »

Hawaii Legislature passes tax hikes to ease budget gap 

Ignoring Gov. Linda Lingle's veto threat, the state House and Senate voted yesterday to raise taxes to help balance the state's budget.

The bills would increase state income taxes on the affluent, hotel-room taxes that fall mainly on tourists, cigarette and other tobacco taxes, and the conveyance tax on the sale of luxury homes. . . .

Lawmakers voted to raise the state's 10-cent-per-cigarette tax by 2 cents in July, in addition to the 1-cent increase already scheduled, bringing the tax to 13 cents. Previously scheduled 1-cent increases would bring the tax to 14 cents in July 2010 and 15 cents in July 2011.

The state's tax on the wholesale price of tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco or pipe tobacco, would rise from 40 percent to 70 percent starting at the end of September. The state's tax on cigars would increase from 40 percent to 50 percent, and smaller cigars that resemble cigarettes would be taxed like cigarettes.

Lingle has said she would consider the higher taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Jump to full article »

Higher Taxes On Cigarettes Make It A Great Time To Quit 

The Department of Health is working in collaboration with community partners to educate and promote available tobacco cessation services and resources to better support those in their communities who are tackling nicotine addiction. There are more than 36 hospital and community-based tobacco cessation service providers that offer tobacco treatment programs across the state.

The department has developed a list of "Cessation Resources in Hawai'i" for the public, and a "Cessation Service Providers Referral Guide" for providers. The Referral Guide assists those who are interested in either using or referring a patient/client to tobacco cessation services. These guides/resources are also available on the Hawai'i State DOH website at www.hawaii.gov/health under "brochures".

Jump to full article »

EDITORIAL: Assign FDA duty to regulate tobacco  

Only days after a huge increase in the federal tobacco tax took effect, the U.S. House has overwhelmingly approved a bill to assign the Food and Drug Administration the job regulating the industry. The legislation, which includes a ban on flavored cigarettes intended to entice children, is long overdue. . . .

Proponents were disturbed two years ago about the deletion of a provision banning the use of flavors designed for the peddling of cigarettes to children. R.J. Reynolds tried several years ago to market "Kauai Kolada" and "Hawaiian Hints of Pineapple and Coconut." The provision is in the current version and it could be extended by FDA to include menthol flavoring.

The federal tax on cigarettes rose on April 1 from 39 cents to $1.01 a pack, and the state Legislature is considering an increase of 40 cents a pack on July 1. That will boost the retail price of a pack to more than $8 and should drive many smokers to dial 1-800-QUITNOW.

Jump to full article »

Hike In Taxes Won't Make Smokers Quit  

The largest federal tobacco tax hike in history takes effect Wednesday, pushing the federal tax on a pack of cigarettes to $1.01.

Health advocates hope a tax increase in the middle of a recession will help persuade smokers to quit. But many smokers said it won't stop them from smoking.

At Tanabe Market on Keeaumoku Street packs of Kool or Marlboro cigarettes already cost $6.55. When the federal cigarette tax hike of 62 cents per pack goes into effect the pack will cost $7.17.

Smoker Greg Stearns lit up while on a break from his job in Kakaako. He said he's been smoking for 10 years and won't stop just because the prices are going up.

Jump to full article »

KESTEN: Shenanigans: Mixed smoke signals 

"Save a kid, smoke a cigarette." The snarky remark from a local deejay a couple mornings ago sums up the cigarette tax hike coming April Fool's Day.

To fund the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, the federal government has increased the cigarette tax to $1 per pack. This act will cover children who are not insured under Medicaid because their parents earn too much to qualify but not enough to insure their children. Supposedly this tax will earn $31.5 million in more than four years, but that's if smokers keep lighting up.

It's expensive to sabotage your health these days, especially if you're in Iowa. Before the Smoke-Free Air Act was passed a year ago, Iowa hiked up its cigarette tax. According to the Department of Revenue's tax map, Iowans pay $1.36 per package of state tax. Come April 1, you'll pay $2.36 in just taxes - excluding the sales tax.

That burns.

Add that to the fact smokers cannot legally subject others to secondhand toxins. With more and more states passing indoor smoking bans, these high taxes and the recession, it'll hardly be a surprise when smokers toss the lighter and grab the gum. . .

The puff companies are not going to cry or wait for bailouts. Smoking Everywhere is distributing electronic cigarettes that look like cigarettes but only contain liquid nicotine. . . .

Since the government has not made tobacco products illegal (too much money in the industry) it should not punish consumers. "You shouldn't smoke, but please do" is along the lines of the U.S. scolding other nations for torture with one hand and holding someone under water with the other.

If you can afford to defy The Man, smoke on. Because The Man actually wants you to.

Just not around me.

Jump to full article »

Students urge lawmakers to raise tobacco tax  

Chanting anti-tobacco slogans and listening to slam poetry, a group of 150 students from around the state gathered at the state Capitol yesterday lobbying for higher taxes on tobacco products.

"Other tobacco products have to go," they chanted, referring to chewing tobacco and other non-cigarette products. "Youth speaks," they said.

As lawmakers were poised yesterday to discuss several measures that would affect the tobacco settlement yesterday -- a critical source of funds for their anti-smoking programs -- the students wanted to remind lawmakers that they shouldn't be tempted to tap into anti-smoking funds to balance the budget, or they'd risk affecting the success of anti-smoking campaigns.

"We're here today because they are talking about raiding the funds and it will affect many of our programs in the Kalihi area," said Lavelle Ramos-Dias, a Kokua Kalihi Valley health educator. "The fund is for us. If they raid it, it won't be there."

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona praised their efforts to get the message out.

"You have made some significant gains in the (lower) number of smokers in the last seven years," Aiona told the gathering. "The fight is not over."

Aiona proclaimed yesterday as Kick Butts Day

Jump to full article »

UH may have to report on tobacco fund  

University of Hawaii officials may have to begin reporting how it spends money sitting in a special fund set aside for the construction of a new cancer research center.

Under Senate Bill 39, Hawaii legislators are asking the university to start reporting semi-annually on all deposits, expenditures and other transactions dealing with money from the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, sometimes called the tobacco tax fund.

The measure is meant to address community concerns that the money has been idle in the still-untapped fund, which has grown to $33.3 million since 2006. If passed, UH officials would have to start reporting to legislators on the fund's status -- and ultimately the progress being made on building the new facility -- beginning Jan. 1, 2010.

Jump to full article »

State Lawmakers Look To Enforce Smoking Ban  

The state has had a sweeping smoking ban for more than two years, but the health department is not enforcing the ban, officials said.

The American Cancer Society said more and more bars are ignoring state smoking prohibitions and complaints are increasing.

Lawmakers considered a new tact on Wednesday -- a proposal to have country liquor inspectors help the state enforce the smoking laws.

Even though smoking is prohibited, an estimated 20 Oahu bar owners allow their customers to light up.

Bar keep Bill Comerford said with the poor economy more bars than ever are open to smoking to attract business.

Jump to full article »