The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is expressing strong disappointment with the final passage of SB 680, providing a tax lower tax rate for heated tobacco products. Unfortunately, after relentless pressure from tobacco industry forces, the state legislature compromised and voted yesterday to create a separate category for heated tobacco products and tax them at 50% of the cigarette tax rate.
ACS CAN Oklahoma government relations director Matt Glanville released the following statement:
“SB 680 aims to tax heated tobacco products at a significantly lower rate than cigarettes, even though they meet the legal definition of a cigarette, making them cheaper and more accessible – increasing the likelihood that more of our youth will become the next generation addicted to tobacco. It’s no secret that the tobacco industry is working hard to hook future generations.
“There are no safe tobacco products and these products are not an approved cessation device. Heated tobacco products contain more than 20 toxic chemicals, including nicotine. Research suggests that heated tobacco products and their emissions contain many of the same dangerous ingredients as regular cigarettes, as well as other unhealthy ingredients not present in regular cigarettes. ACS CAN urges lawmakers to protect Oklahomans from getting addicted and sick as they contribute to the tobacco industry’s bottom line.”
“34.2% of cancer deaths in Oklahoma are due to smoking. That is not a number we want to see grow. ACS CAN is urging Governor Kevin Stitt to send a strong message to the tobacco industry and protect future generations of Oklahomans by vetoing SB 680.”