The Impact of Tobacco Tax Increases on Low-Income Populations
Tobacco tax increases are endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General as a highly effective tobacco control strategy because increasing price is proven to reduce smoking, especially among youth and low-income populations. The health impact of tobacco tax increases can be magnified by utilizing the revenue from tax increases to help fund state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. These programs can counter the tobacco industry’s targeting of vulnerable populations while providing resources to support those trying to quit and other health programs that directly benefit populations with higher tobacco use and deaths due to tobacco, including low-income communities.