The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) called on the Nevada State Legislature to raise the state tax on cigarettes and all other tobacco products during a meeting of the Joint Interim Standing Committee on Revenue, Wednesday. Advocates hope to introduce a bill during the 2027 legislative session that helps improve public health, prevent youth from becoming addicted and generate much-needed revenue for vital state programs.
During a presentation to committee members, Jennifer Atlas, ACS CAN Nevada Government Relations Director, explained the proposal which includes increasing the cigarette tax by $1.75 per pack and a parallel tax on other tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars and nicotine pouches. The proposal is projected to generate over $65 million in new annual revenue for the state.
“Big Tobacco, unfortunately, is going to keep targeting our youth by introducing new products to the market,” said Atlas. “The structure being proposed by ACS CAN ensures Nevada can fight back against the tobacco industry by ensuring that all tobacco products, including new products are taxed at a parallel rate so fewer gaps will exist in the law and future generations of Nevadans won’t be subjected to a lifetime of addiction.”
If enacted, supporters recommend a portion of the tax revenue to go towards funding fact-based programs to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help those already addicted to quit. Among all states, Nevada ranks 46th in tobacco control funding, only dedicating $1.1 million toward the cause leaving the state well short of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended funding of $30 million.
Beyond revenue, the increasing tobacco taxes will produce public health benefits which would result in healthier families and lower long-term healthcare costs in Nevada.
Current projections show adult and youth smoking declines would lead to $208.40 million in long-term healthcare cost savings statewide while Medicaid is projected to save more than $4 million over a five-year period.
Evidence shows a tobacco tax increase would help adults who smoke quit and prevent kids from becoming addicted to tobacco. Furthermore, the policy would save lives and reduce smoking-affected pregnancies and births, according to projections developed by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, ACS CAN and Economics for Health housed at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
A decision from the Interim Committee on Revenue is expected in August. From there, the proposal could be introduced as a bill during the 2027 legislative session which begins in January.