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Jump to full article: The Washington Post, 2002-08-22
Author: Cynthia Coldwell / GUEST COLUMN / Thursday, August 22, 2002; Page VA05
Intro: Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) recently said he was open to raising taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, so Fairfax Extra asked proponents and opponents to express their views.Cynthia Coldwell, chairman of the board of the American Lung Association of Virginia, responded in a joint column with three other pro-tax groups. Philip Morris USA, which employs 6,400 people at its cigarette manufacturing plant in Richmond, declined the request. . .
An increase in cigarette taxes won't hurt tobacco farmers as some might fear. Virginia smokers are responsible for only a tiny fraction of the overall demand for cigarette tobacco grown in the commonwealth.
By reducing cigarette consumption in Virginia by about 6.5 percent, a 50-cent-a-pack cigarette tax increase would reduce the overall demand for American-grown tobacco by only about one-tenth of one percent.
In addition, reduced cigarette sales would not significantly affect the economy since consumer spending would shift to other areas.
Gov. Warner deserves praise for courageously endorsing an increase in Virginia's cigarette tax. We urge Virginia's senators and delegates to pass a 50-cent-a-pack increase in the state's tobacco tax. It's a "win-win" for all Virginians concerned about our fiscal health and the health of our citizens.
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