BOSTON, M.A. -- July 1, 2008 -- Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law today a bill increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1.00, raising the total state cigarette tax from $1.51 to $2.51 per pack. The increase, which will take effect immediately, will push Massachusetts to become the state with the third highest cigarette tax in the nation.
By instituting a dollar increase per pack in the state’s tobacco tax, the state takes aim at a product that claims the lives of twenty-four Bay Staters every single day.
The American Cancer Society, along with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and other coalition partners have championed this issue to prompt current smokers to quit and prevent youth from starting. According to Marc Hymovitz, the Society’s Director of Government Relations in Massachusetts, “To effectively fight cancer, we need to increase access to quality health care, and put an end to the suffering and disease caused by tobacco. With passage of this tobacco tax increase, the Governor and the Legislature landed two distinct blows in our battle against cancer.”
It is estimated that the tax will generate at least $150 million each year in revenue to support the Massachusetts Commonwealth Care Fund in delivering health insurance for low-income residents, whose smoking rates are more than double that of the general population.
Currently, the state spends more than $1 billion through its Medicaid program to pay for treating people with tobacco-related illness. At $2.51 tax per pack, the increased tax would prevent 46,100 kids in Massachusetts from ever picking up the habit; and motivate 25,800 current smokers in the state to quit.
“Raising the cigarette tax is good health policy and is a proven way to reduce smoking rates among adults and especially youth,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society. “We are extremely proud of our advocates in Massachusetts for supporting this increase and a healthier environment for everyone. We encourage other states to continue this life-saving trend.”
Statistics have shown that increasing the cigarette tax is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, especially among children. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent.
The current average state cigarette tax is $1.16 per pack. Since January 1, 2002, 44 states and the District of Columbia have increased cigarette taxes, some more than once. Including Massachusetts, twelve states and DC now have cigarette taxes of $2 or more.
“The American Cancer Society commends the Massachusetts legislature and the Governor for their long-standing and unflagging support in our collective fight against cancer in our state. Passage of this tax will provide a predictable revenue stream supporting continued implementation of the Commonwealth's health reform, enabling us to continue to strive for our ultimate goal of near-universal access to quality, affordable health care for every resident of Massachusetts,” Hymovitz said.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/.
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