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KAPRIELIAN/HAMILTON: The benefits of a higher cigarette tax  

Currently, there is a legislative proposal that would add $1 to the levy on cigarettes. Its passage would add about $150 million to state coffers, which would enable the Legislature to continue healthcare reform, as well as reduce the incidence of smoking rates overall. Data shows that for every 10 percent increase in the cost of a pack of cigarettes, the overall smoking rates decrease 4 percent.

Perhaps more compelling, raising the price of smoking will discourage children . . .

So an increase in the tobacco levy simply makes sense. It deters children from smoking. It helps taxpayers, heathcare providers, hospitals, and insurance ratepayers. And it extends a helping hand to those hard-pressed families and individuals who are working but lack health insurance.

--Representative Rachel Kaprielian, Democrat from Watertown, is lead sponsor of the legislation; Rev. Herman Hamilton is president of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church.

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