Legislature Missed Opportunity to Protect Ohioans from Tobacco
Ohio Had an Opportunity to Generate Revenue, Protect Kids and Save Lives
Maine Cancer Advocates Applaud Tobacco Tax Increase
State would see a tax increase of $3.50 per pack of cigarettes sold in Maine
June 18, 2025
AUGUSTA – JUNE 18, 2025 – Today, lawmakers marked the end of Maine’s legislative session, passing a budget that includes a tobacco tax increase of $1.50 per pack of cigarettes. Combined with a $2 cigarette tax increase proposed in Gov. Mill’s budget, this would result in a tax increase of $3.50 per pack of 20 cigarettes sold in the state.
The following statement can be attributed to Julia MacDonald, Maine director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“On behalf of the countless Mainers who have been touched by cancer, we applaud the legislature’s tobacco tax increase. We know that among the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use are tax increases – and the fewer Mainers who use tobacco products, the fewer Mainers that will suffer from preventable death and diseases, including cancer.
“Not only does tax increase of their significance mean lives saved, but it also means dollars saved – both in reduced healthcare costs and productivity losses, as well as increased tax revenue.
“By increasing the state’s tobacco tax, we can ensure more Mainers who currently smoke will quit, and fewer kids will pick up the deadly addiction in the first place. ACS CAN urges Gov. Mills to sign into law this $3.50 per pack increase, protect public health, and establish Maine as a leader when it comes to standing up to Big Tobacco.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.
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