Jump to full article: New Haven (CT) Register, 2009-06-23
Author: Patricia J. Checko
Intro: The Campaign for Sensible Tobacco Policy recommends increasing the $2 state cigarette tax by $1 per pack and using part of the income to fund smoking cessation services.
The $1 increase equals $54 million in new revenue. Many states are raising their cigarette taxes. Rhode Island raised its tax to $3.46 per pack. Every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by about 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by 3 percent to 5 percent.
Congress raised the federal tax by 62 cents in April. State smoking telephone quit lines all over the country reported huge increases in use as a result.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death . . .
The cigarette tax burden falls primarily on people who least can afford it. Isn't it time to use some of the smokers' tax dollars to help them quit?
Connecticut policymakers face many difficult decisions in today's tough economic times. The health, revenue and political benefits of the cigarette tax, make it an easy one.
Our leaders can improve the physical and fiscal health of the state by passing this critical public health measure, and get reimbursed for half of the Medicaid costs
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