WASHINGTON, D.C. July 13, 2016 "The $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase and the first ever tax on other tobacco products in the state passed today by the Pennsylvania Legislature will help to discourage tobacco use and save lives from cancer and other serious tobacco-related diseases in the state. Research shows that regular and significant tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to encourage tobacco users to quit and protect young people from becoming addicted. Pennsylvania's increase from $1.60 to $2.60 per pack and its new tax on other tobacco products are expected to be signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf in the coming days.
"Bipartisan support for this legislation from Pennsylvania lawmakers makes a strong statement that reducing the use of this deadly product in the state is a priority. This cigarette tax increase will save an estimated 32,200 lives in Pennsylvania and keep more than 48,100 kids from becoming addicted adult smokers. The tax increase is also expected to prompt more than 65,600 adult smokers in Pennsylvania to quit, all while saving the state an estimated $2.19 billion in long-term health care costs.
"Additionally, the state's decision to join the rest of the country in finally taxing other tobacco products such as smokeless and roll-your-own tobacco was long overdue. However, Pennsylvania lawmakers missed an opportunity to fully protect residents from the health harms of tobacco by introducing the tax as a weight-based tax on smokeless and roll-your-own tobacco and not taxing cigars. These products, which are becoming increasingly popular among young people, are not safe alternatives to cigarettes.
"Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death nationwide, and is expected to claim the lives of more than 480,000 Americans this year alone. Considering that one third of all cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use, reducing its consumption is absolutely critical in the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) urges lawmakers in states still considering a significant tobacco tax increase to follow Pennsylvania's lead and do the right thing for the health of their state, as well as its budget.”
Pennsylvania's $1- per-pack increase took the state from being ranked 14th in the nation for its cigarette tax rate to 10th. When Pennsylvania's increase goes into effect, the national average will shift from $1.63 to $1.65 per pack. However, health costs and lost productivity costs attributed to smoking are conservatively estimated to be $19.16 per pack of cigarettes. Pennsylvania is the last state in the nation to pass a tax on other tobacco products and remains one of only two states that does not tax cigars.
Though there are several other state tobacco tax proposals being considered currently, Pennsylvania now joins Nevada in being the only states in the country to increase their cigarette tax by at least $1 since 2013.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate 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 www.fightcancer.org.
MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Emily Rohloff or Alissa Crispino
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Phone: (262) 352-4610 or (202) 661-5772
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]