Tobacco.org

• Taxes stamp out smoking in state 

In 1980, Californians bought 2.8 billion packs a year. Now, they're only buying 972 million, according to a state report released Tuesday. It also showed that Californians bought 8.1 percent fewer cigarettes in 2009-10 than they did a year earlier. That's the largest decline since 1999.

And as sales have plummeted, prices have skyrocketed: The average retail price in the state in 2000 was $3.66 a pack, but now it's $5.09.

Every time Brush buys menthols, at least $1.81 is allocated toward children's health programs and cancer research, among other uses. A year ago, it was only $1.19. The fee is cited by tax collectors as the reason cigarette sales dropped in California by 85 millions packs.

"We're seeing an increase in price and a reduction in the purchase of cigarettes," said Anita Gore, spokeswoman for the state Board of Equalization, which is responsible for collecting the taxes. "Of course, there are other things that contribute -- health concerns and many smoking restrictions -- but those are all factors in the downward trend."

Taxes are one of the reasons cigarette prices have soared.

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