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ACS CAN Urges Senators to Oppose Bill Making Tobacco Products Cheaper and More Accessible
March 23, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Senate is expected to vote on a bill Tuesday that would make addictive and dangerous tobacco products more accessible and affordable, increasing the likelihood that more children will become the next generation addicted to tobacco. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) firmly opposes House Bill 4303 and urges state senators to vote against it to keep it from becoming law.
HB4303 would lower the tax on heated tobacco products, which are addictive and emit many of the same dangerous chemicals as cigarettes as well as additional toxic substances. The use of heated tobacco products is associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure, arterial stiffness, cardiovascular stress, and lung inflammation.
“Make no mistake, the tobacco industry is behind this bill and cannot be trusted with public health. It is the same industry that brought us e-cigarettes,” said Beth Johnson, regional government relations director for ACS CAN in South Carolina. “Research shows that increasing taxes on all tobacco products at parallel rates encourages people to quit. Instead, this bill incentivizes people to stay addicted, just to cheaper products. Significant taxes on tobacco products are one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use and tobacco companies know it.”
The full Senate will likely vote on the bill Tuesday, March 24.
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