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Tobacco Taxes--they're not just for revenue

February 1st 2009

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Posted by: Paul Kiser, Director, Kentucky ACTION

 

Tobacco taxes--they're not just for revenue.
 
If we could only get all of our legislators to accept this fact, every argument we’ve heard against a large tobacco tax increases would be swept away—or reduced to insignificance. The larger the increase, the greater the health benefit. The higher the tax the more adults reduce their consumption, the less children will ever become addicted, the more expectant mothers quit their smoking and the greater the health care savings that will be realized by the state. There is no mysterious “point of diminishing return” for the health benefits of tobacco tax increases. There is no cause for concern to try to preserve the casual smuggling of cigarettes by individuals coming across state lines to purchase cheap smokes if your main goal is simply to reduce smoking.
 

Unfortunately we’re still hearing a lot of talk centering only around immediate revenue impact of a tax, not how much we’ll save in care costs. Discussion is revolving around “what can pass,” not about how much good will it do for the citizens of the Commonwealth. There is talk about declining revenue and regressive taxation, not reduced smoking rates and effective prevention strategies.

 

The tone of the discussion must change if health advocates are truly going to reap the rewards of a significant tobacco tax increase. The only way that is going to happen is if health advocates get busy and change it: elevating discussion around the water cooler, raising the discourse in local newspapers, making the call to radio talk shows and, always, sharing the facts with the policymakers representing your district.

 

The heart of this shortened legislative session begins now. We know that nearly 70% of registered voters in this state support a $1 increase in cigarette taxes. Yet, we are still hearing from a lot of legislators that they are only being contacted by people who are against a large tax increase. If advocates sit idly by and let others set the agenda then there is no room for complaints later on. If we want to make a difference, we must do that right now! Get involved – help change the focus of this discussion. Remember a small increase is just another tax, but $1 is a serious public health initiative!

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