Support tobacco tax increases and investments in programs to reduce tobacco use in Nebraska

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death. In Nebraska, 28.4% of cancer deaths are caused by smoking, and smoking accounts for $924 million annually in direct health care costs. Increasing taxes on tobacco products and investing in tobacco prevention and cessation programs are proven ways to reduce tobacco use in adults and prevent youth from starting.  

I call on elected officials to increase the cigarette tax by at least $1.00 per pack with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products and invest at least $4 million in tobacco prevention and cessation programs to generate revenue, protect kids, and save lives.