Tobacco Tax Challenge Update Report Summer 2003


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TobaccoTax Challenge

SmokeLess States National Tobacco Policy Initiative Update Report Summer 2003 Tobacco Tax Challenge Advances; States Could Benefit by Raising Cigarette Taxes to National Average Why Increase State Cigarette Taxes? Tobacco Tax Challenge Advances; States Could Benefit by Raising Cigarette Taxes to National Average Research shows that as the price of cigarettes rises, the number of smokers declines. Since January 1, 2002, 30 states, Puerto Rico and Washington DC have increased their cigarette taxes thereby increasing state revenues, reducing smoking levels, and shrinking smoking-caused costs. But 20 other states have failed to take this action, and a total of 30 states have cigarette tax rates below the nationwide average of 72 cents per pack -- with nine states having rates of 20 cents or less per pack. Given ongoing state budget difficulties, the significant toll of tobacco use in each state and the enormous public and private benefits from raising state cigarette taxes, those states with below average rates have much to gain from raising them to the national average. Consider these facts about the impact of smoking:
  • More than 6 million kids alive today are projected to die from smoking-related diseases;1
  • More than $23 billion in federal and state Medicaid payments go toward treating people with smoking-related illnesses;1
  • Each pack of cigarettes sold in the US equates to $7.18 in health costs and productivity losses;1
  • More than 120,000 current adult smokers would quit and be saved from a smoking-caused death if the 30 states with below average state cigarette taxes raised their rates to the national average;2 and
  • More than 260,000 kids alive today would be saved from smoking and an untimely death from it if the 30 states with below-average cigarette taxes raised their rates to the national average.2 In February 2002, the SmokeLess States National Tobacco Policy Initiative issued the Tobacco Tax Challenge to encourage governors nationwide to reduce youth smoking and the incredible and unnecessary harm tobacco inflicts on people. Several of the nation's leading health care organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Medical Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids joined SmokeLess States in issuing this Challenge. More than 380,000 kids and adults alive today would be saved from smoking-related deaths if higher state cigarette taxes were implemented in the 30 states with below-average cigarette tax rates. Raising state cigarette taxes combined with cessation and prevention programs are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking rates and to prevent kids from ever starting to smoke. In this Update Report, we provide a look at the ongoing Challenge, the benefits of higher state cigarette taxes and a look ahead on the legislative front. ---- 1 Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2 Source: National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids / July 2003. The Benefits Reduced Smoking Rates Increasing state cigarette taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce youth smoking. In fact, studies show that for every 10% increase in the price of a package of cigarettes, youth smoking rates decline by 7%. Even tobacco companies have acknowledged that higher state cigarette taxes reduce smoking among kids and lower-income communities. Combining higher cigarette prices with effective cessation programs constitutes one of the most effective approaches for reducing smoking rates, and the benefits are immediate. Calls into tobacco quit lines and visits to cessation programs go up following state cigarette tax increases, as was the case when Illinois' increase went into effect in July 2002. By discouraging kids from smoking, states also reduce future costs associated with treating smoking-related diseases, but kids aren't the only ones to benefit. Adult smokers are deterred from smoking, too, as the price of cigarettes rise. That's proven to be the case in all states that have increased their cigarette tax rates, including larger states such as California and Washington where tax increases were followed by declines in smoking rates among youth and adults. Increased Revenues State cigarette taxes also generate revenue, an important consideration for many statehouses grappling with record deficits. These revenues have proven to be more stable and predictable than corporate or income taxes. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii and Michigan enhanced their revenues as a result of recent increases in their cigarette taxes. In fact, state cigarette tax revenues have gone up after every single one of the more than 30 state cigarette tax increases that were implemented in 2002 and early 2003. Reduced Health Care Expenditures Another benefit of state tobacco taxes is their impact on reducing future health care costs related to treating sick and dying smokers. Smoking-related diseases cost states and the federal government -- in terms of public and private expenditures -- a combined total of more than $75 billion a year. On a per pack basis, the health and productivity related costs attributed to smoking amount to as much as $7.18 per pack on average nationwide. Furthermore, by reducing smoking-caused costs, cigarette tax increases help to reduce states' share of annual Medicaid expenditures -- payments that total more than $10 billion every year. Public Support for Higher State Tobacco Taxes Finally, according to surveys conducted in states nationwide, a majority of voters support higher state cigarette taxes. Nowhere is this more evident than in states such as Arizona, Oregon and Washington where higher cigarette taxes were passed by public referendums. Tobacco taxes receive strong bipartisan support among voters and lawmakers throughout the country. Opponents of cigarette taxes claim that they lead to cigarette smuggling across state borders. Given consumer buying behavior (two-thirds of all cigarettes sold in the US are sold as single packs), cross-border selling is not a significant issue. Additionally, while higher cigarette taxes can prompt a spike in Internet sales immediately after a tax hike, experience shows that consumer-buying habits return to their pre-tax patterns after a few months. Additionally, states such as New York have passed or are drafting laws that will outlaw Internet or mail order tobacco sales or tax them at the state rate. Another myth is that state cigarette taxes are regressive and only hurt low-income smokers. However, evidence shows that people with low incomes not only have the highest smoking levels, but also have the most to gain from higher cigarette prices. In fact, people with low incomes are four times as likely to quit because of higher cigarette prices; money not spent on cigarettes can be used for other purchases. States With Above Average Cigarette Tax Rates That Have Increased Cigarette Taxes Since January 1, 2002 (Including Puerto Rico and Washington DC) National Average: 72 cents per pack

    State

    Tax Rate Per Pack

    Rank Among States 1=highest

    Effective Date of Increase

    Increase since 12/31/01

    New Jersey

    $2.05

    1st

    7/1/2003

    $1.25

    Connecticut

    $1.51

    2nd

    3/15/2003

    $1.01

    Massachusetts

    $1.51

    2nd

    7/24/2002

    $0.75

    New York

    $1.50

    4th

    4/3/2002

    $0.39

    Rhode Island

    $1.50

    4th

    7/1/2003

    $0.50

    Washington

    $1.43

    6th

    1/1/2002

    $0.60

    Hawaii

    $1.30

    7th

    7/1/2003

    $0.30

    Oregon

    $1.28

    8th

    11/1/2002

    $0.60

    Michigan

    $1.25

    9th

    8/1/2002

    $0.50

    Puerto Rico

    $1.23

    NA

    5/16/2002

    $0.40

    Vermont

    $1.19

    10th

    7/1/2003

    $0.75

    Arizona

    $1.18

    11th

    11/26/2002

    $0.60

    Washington DC

    $1.00

    12th

    1/1/2003

    $0.35

    Maryland

    $1.00

    12th

    6/1/2002

    $0.35

    Pennsylvania

    $1.00

    12th

    7/15/2002

    $0.69

    Illinois

    $0.98

    17th

    7/1/2002

    $0.40

    New Mexico

    $0.91

    18th

    7/1/2003

    $0.70

    Kansas

    $0.79

    20th

    1/1/2003

    $0.55
    New York City, which accounts for roughly half of all cigarette sales in New York State, also increased its own local cigarette tax by 8 cents to $1.50 per pack, effective July 1, 2002, with New York State receiving roughly half of the City's cigarette tax revenues. Other cities, towns, and counties have also increased their cigarette taxes, including several in Virginia. 1 Connecticut has separately increased its cigarette tax twice during this time period, first raising it from 50 cents to $1.11 in 2002 and then raising it to $1.51. 2 Rhode Island passed a seven-stage increase, with subsequent 10-cent increases occurring each year on July 1 of 2004-2008. 3 Hawaii passed a three-stage tax increase, which has another 10-cent increase occurring on July 1, 2004 (and a reversion back to $1 per pack on July 1, 2005). 4 In 2002, Vermont and Kansas passed two-stage tax increases with separate increases in 2002 and 2003. Extensive materials on state tobacco tax increases can be found on the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' Web site at http://tobaccofreekids.org/reports/prices. Source: National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, July 2003. The Benefits Reduced Smoking Rates Increasing state cigarette taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce youth smoking. In fact, studies show that for every 10% increase in the price of a package of cigarettes, youth smoking rates decline by 7%. Even tobacco companies have acknowledged that higher state cigarette taxes reduce smoking among kids and lower-income communities. Combining higher cigarette prices with effective cessation programs constitutes one of the most effective approaches for reducing smoking rates, and the benefits are immediate. Calls into tobacco quit lines and visits to cessation programs go up following state cigarette tax increases, as was the case when Illinois' increase went into effect in July 2002. By discouraging kids from smoking, states also reduce future costs associated with treating smoking-related diseases, but kids aren't the only ones to benefit. Adult smokers are deterred from smoking, too, as the price of cigarettes rise. That's proven to be the case in all states that have increased their cigarette tax rates, including larger states such as California and Washington where tax increases were followed by declines in smoking rates among youth and adults. Increased Revenues State cigarette taxes also generate revenue, an important consideration for many statehouses grappling with record deficits. These revenues have proven to be more stable and predictable than corporate or income taxes. States such as Connecticut, Hawaii and Michigan enhanced their revenues as a result of recent increases in their cigarette taxes. In fact, state cigarette tax revenues have gone up after every single one of the more than 30 state cigarette tax increases that were implemented in 2002 and early 2003. Reduced Health Care Expenditures Another benefit of state tobacco taxes is their impact on reducing future health care costs related to treating sick and dying smokers. Smoking-related diseases cost states and the federal government-- in terms of public and private expenditures -- a combined total of more than $75 billion a year. On a per pack basis, the health and productivity related costs attributed to smoking amount to as much as $7.18 per pack on average nationwide. Furthermore, by reducing smoking-caused costs, cigarette tax increases help to reduce states' share of annual Medicaid expenditures -- payments that total more than $10 billion every year. Public Support for Higher State Tobacco Taxes Finally, according to surveys conducted in states nationwide, a majority of voters support higher state cigarette taxes. Nowhere is this more evident than in states such as Arizona, Oregon and Washington where higher cigarette taxes were passed by public referendums. Tobacco taxes receive strong bipartisan support among voters and lawmakers throughout the country. Opponents of cigarette taxes claim that they lead to cigarette smuggling across state borders. Given consumer buying behavior (two-thirds of all cigarettes sold in the US are sold as single packs), cross-border selling is not a significant issue. Additionally, while higher cigarette taxes can prompt a spike in Internet sales immediately after a tax hike, experience shows that consumer-buying habits return to their pre-tax patterns after a few months. Additionally, states such as New York have passed or are drafting laws that will outlaw Internet or mail order tobacco sales or tax them at the state rate. Another myth is that state cigarette taxes are regressive and only hurt low-income smokers. However, evidence shows that people with low incomes not only have the highest smoking levels, but also have the most to gain from higher cigarette prices. In fact, people with low incomes are four times as likely to quit because of higher cigarette prices; money not spent on cigarettes can be used for other purchases. States With Above Average Cigarette Tax Rates That Have Increased Cigarette Taxes Since January 1, 2002 (Including Puerto Rico and Washington DC) National Average: 72 cents per pack New York City, which accounts for roughly half of all cigarette sales in New York State, also increased its own local cigarette tax by 8 cents to $1.50 per pack, effective July 1, 2002, with New York State receiving roughly half of the City's cigarette tax revenues. Other cities, towns, and counties have also increased their cigarette taxes, including several in Virginia.1 Connecticut has separately increased its cigarette tax twice during this time period, first raising it from 50 cents to $1.11 in 2002 and then raising it to $1.51. 2 Rhode Island passed a seven-stage increase, with subsequent 10-cent increases occurring each year on July 1 of 2004-2008. 3 Hawaii passed a three-stage tax increase, which has another 10-cent increase occurring on July 1, 2004 (and a reversion back to $1 per pack on July 1, 2005).4 In 2002, Vermont and Kansas passed two-stage tax increases with separate increases in 2002 and 2003. Extensive materials on state tobacco tax increases can be found on the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' Web site at http://tobaccofreekids.org/reports/prices. Source: National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, July 2003.

    Benefits of Increasing State Cigarette Taxes to National Average (for 30 States with Below Average Rates)

                                                                                                              

    State

    Current Tax

    State Tax Rank (1=high)

    Date of Last Increase

    Increase to Reach National Average

    New Tax Revenue from Increase (Millions)

    Adults Who Will Quit

    Kids Stopped from Smoking

    Kids Saved from Smoking Death

    Adults Saved from Smoking Death

    Long-Term Health Savings (Millions)

    Virginia

    $0.025

    51st

    9/1/1966

    $0.695

    $330.40

    51,000

    67,000

    21,400

    11,200

    $1.2 bil.

    Kentucky

    $0.030

    50th

    7/1/1970

    $0.690

    $280.70

    41,000

    59,000

    18,800

    9,000

    $1.0 bil.

    North Carolina

    $0.050

    49th

    8/1/1991

    $0.670

    $355.30

    65,000

    101,000

    32,300

    14,300

    $1.7 bil.

    South Carolina

    $0.070

    48th

    7/1/1977

    $0.650

    $225.00

    31,000

    41,000

    13,100

    6,800

    747.8 mil.

    Alabama

    $0.165

    47th

    7/1/1984

    $0.555

    $186.00

    24,000

    39,000

    12,400

    5,200

    $666.mil.

    Missouri

    $0.170

    46th

    10/1/1993

    $0.550

    $254.40

    35,000

    52,000

    16,600

    7,700

    $912.8 mil.

    Mississippi

    $0.180

    45th

    6/1/1985

    $0.540

    $122.20

    16,000

    21,000

    6,700

    3,500

    $384 mil.

    Colorado

    $0.200

    43rd

    7/1/1986

    $0.520

    $130.30

    31,000

    32,000

    10,200

    4,600

    $771.8 mil.

    Tennessee

    $0.200

    43rd

    7/15/2002

    $0.520

    $271.80

    31,000

    43,000

    13,700

    4,800

    771.8 mil.

    Oklahoma

    $0.230

    42nd

    6/1/1987

    $0.490

    $147.60

    21,000

    26,000

    8,300

    4,600

    485.3 mil.

    Florida

    $0.330

    41st

    7/1/1990

    $0.381

    $430.80

    58,000

    75,000

    24,000

    12,700

    $1.3 bil.

    Nevada

    $0.350

    40th

    7/1/1989

    $0.370

    $53.40

    8,000

    13,000

    4,100

    1,700

    $222 mil.

    Iowa

    $0.360

    38th

    6/1/1991

    $0.360

    $77.20

    10,000

    19,000

    6,000

    2,200

    $310.5 mil.

    Louisiana

    $0.360

    36th

    7/1/2002

    $0.360

    $137.70

    16,000

    2,500

    8,000

    3,500

    $432 mil.

    Georgia

    $0.370

    37th

    7/1/2003

    $0.350

    $207.40

    26,000

    40,000

    12,800

    5,700

    $694.5 mil.

    Texas

    $0.410

    36th

    7/1/1990

    $0.310

    $343.40

    55,000

    93,000

    29,700

    12,100

    $1.5 bil.

    North Dakota

    $0.440

    35th

    7/1/1993

    $0.280

    $10.80

    1,500

    2,600

    800

    300

    $43.6 mil.

    Minnesota

    $0.480

    34th

    7/1/1992

    $0.240

    $74.40

    10,000

    16,000

    5,100

    1,300

    274.5 mil.

    New Hampshire

    $0.520

    33rd

    7/1/1999

    $0.200

    $28.20

    2,300

    4,200

    1,300

    500

    $69.4 mil.

    South Dakota

    $0.530

    32nd

    3/24/2003

    $0.190

    $9.00

    1,200

    2,300

    700

    200

    $37.5 mil.

    Delaware

    $0.550

    29th

    8/1/2003

    $0.170

    $16.20

    1,300

    2,100

    600

    200

    $35.9 mil.

    Ohio

    $0.550

    29th

    7/1/2002

    $0.170

    $156.10

    20,000

    32,000

    10,200

    4,400

    $549 mil.

    West Virginia

    $0.550

    29th

    5/1/2003

    $0.170

    $25.70

    3,000

    4,000

    1,200

    600

    $72.8 mil.

    Indiana

    $0.555

    28th

    7/1/2002

    $0.165

    $100.30

    10,000

    16,000

    5,100

    2,200

    274.5 mil.

    Idaho

    $0.570

    27th

    6/1/2003

    $0.150

    $10.00

    1,400

    3,000

    900

    300

    47.6 mil.

    Arkansas

    $0.590

    26th

    6/1/2003

    $0.130

    $26.20

    3,000

    5,000

    1,600

    600

    84.8 mil.

    Wyoming

    $0.600

    25th

    7/1/2003

    $0.120

    $4.30

    500

    900

    200

    100

    $14.9 mil.

    Nebraska

    $0.640

    24th

    10/1/2002

    $0.080

    $9.10

    900

    2,000

    600

    100

    $31.4 mil.

    Utah

    $0.695

    23rd

    5/6/2002

    $0.250

    $1.40

    200

    500

    100

    *

    $7.7 mil.

    Montana

    $0.700

    22nd

    5/1/2003

    $0.020

    $1.00

    100

    100

    *

    *

    $2.0 mil.

    Total

    NA

    NA

    NA

    NA

    NA

    $4.0 bil.

    560,000+

    830,000+

    260,000+

    $14.5 bil.
    * Amount is less than 100. Projections are based on state cigarette tax increases to 72 cents per pack. Projections are conservative because they assume substantial declines in pack sales caused by smoker tax evasion through cross-border and Internet purchases and by cigarette smuggling and also assume disproportionately large reductions in state pack sales after the tax increase in VA, NC, and KY because those states would no longer serve as suppliers of low-tax cigarettes for informal and organized interstate smuggling or Internet sales. Additional materials on the benefits of tobacco-tax increases can be found on the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids' Web site at http://tobaccofreekids.org/reports/prices. Raising Other Tobacco Taxes Since the beginning of 2002, 12 states have raised additional revenues and secured additional public health benefits and cost savings by increasing their tax rates on smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products -- with Georgia passing a tax on all other tobacco products for the first time. But Kentucky,Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC still have no tax on other tobacco products, and 34 other states and Washington DC have failed to raise their non-cigarette tobacco tax rates in years. The average for the vast majority of states that tax other tobacco products as a percentage of wholesale price (also called manufacturers’ price) is 29.9%, with actual rates ranging from 2% (North Carolina) to 129.42% (Washington).

    State

    Old Rate

    New Rate

    Arizona

    6.5 cents per ounce

    13.25 cents per ounce

    Arkansas

    23% of wholesale price

    25% of wholesale price

    Georgia

    Variable cigar tax only

    10% of wholesale price

    Indiana

    15% of wholesale price

    18% of wholesale price

    Massachusetts

    75% of wholesale price

    90% of wholesale price

    Michigan

    16% of wholesale price

    20% of wholesale price

    Montana

    12.5% of wholesale price

    25% of wholesale price

    Nebraska

    15% of wholesale price

    20% of wholesale price

    New York

    20% of wholesale price

    37% of wholesale price

    Rhode Island

    20% of wholesale price

    30% of wholesale price

    Tennessee

    6% of wholesale price

    6.6% of wholesale price

    Washington

    74.9% of wholesale price

    129.42% of wholesale price
    1 Massachusetts' tax on cigars increased from 15% to 30%. 2 Montana's tax on snuff increased from 12.5% to 35 cents per ounce. For more information on state taxation of other tobacco products, including each state's rates, go to the Web site http://tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/index.php?CategoryID=18. A Look Ahead Budget Woes Reports from the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures show that many states will continue to face severe economic hardships in fiscal year 2004. While many lawmakers have said they will not raise taxes, they may be left with few alternatives. Consider the numbers:
  • Collectively, the nation’s governors expect a $53.5 billion shortfall in fiscal year 2004;1
  • 29 states are considering tax and fee increases in fiscal year 2004.2 Healthier Communities, Healthier Futures Clearly, the slowing economy, security costs, skyrocketing health care expenditures and other factors are forcing states to look at some new and some old ways to generate revenue. Using higher cigarette taxes in combination with other tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives can reduce smoking rates, reduce tobacco-related illnesses and save health care dollars. It is a formula that works. States that invest cigarette tax revenues in tobacco prevention and cessation programs are making an important investment in the future health of their residents. Allocating just a few pennies of cigarette tax revenues to state-funded efforts to prevent and reduce smoking greatly enhances the beneficial impact of the tax increase. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended specific funding levels for tobacco prevention and cessation programs for each state using funds from the Master Settlement Agreement, the 1998 landmark agreement signed between the attorneys general in 46 states and the nation’s leading tobacco companies. Working in concert, tobacco prevention initiatives -- including higher state tobacco taxes, funding state programs to CDC-recommended levels (usually about 20-25% of the settlement funds), and even efforts to protect people from the dangers of secondhand smoke -- contribute to healthier communities, and healthier state budgets. ---- 1 The National Conference of State Legislatures, May 23, 2003, “State Lawmakers Applaud Economic Recovery Compromise.” 2 The National Governors Association, June 26, 2003, “Tough Economic Times Remain for States.” Resources To learn more about the benefits of higher state taxes on tobacco products, tobacco cessation programs, or how states are successfully grappling with budget deficits, visit the following Web sites:
  • SmokeLess States: www.smokelessstates.org
  • American Academy of Family Physicians: www.aafp.org
  • American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
  • American Heart Association: www.americanheart.org
  • American Lung Association: www.lungusa.org
  • American Medical Association: www.ama-assn.org
  • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org
  • National Governors Association: www.nga.org
  • National Conference of State Legislatures: www.ncsl.org
  • The Centers for Tobacco Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov A special thanks to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for providing invaluable research for this report. SmokeLess States® is a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, administered by the American Medical Association. 515 North State Street 8th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60610 312 464-4903 312 464-4111 Fax www.smokelessstates.org