Nebraska Revenue Committee Bill Fails to Address Tobacco Crisis
Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Nebraska Government Relations Director Megan Word
Michelle Zimmerman
Senior Specialist, Division Media Advocacy
Public Health Organizations: Legislature’s Final Budget A Missed Opportunity To Reduce Smoking, Save Lives
Small Cigarette Tax Increase Lets Big Tobacco Off the Hook, Will Keep Kids Hooked
April 2, 2018
Frankfort, KY – April 2, 2018 – The following statement can be attributed to four leading health advocacy organizations: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
“The legislature missed an opportunity to reduce the toll of tobacco in Kentucky when it voted to increase the cigarette tax by just 50-cents per pack, an amount that will have little to no impact in reducing smoking and improving public health. Small increases such as this are easily offset by tobacco industry price discounting and coupons intended to perpetuate tobacco-related addiction. Currently, Big Tobacco spends over $275 million annually in Kentucky on marketing alone. Over 90 percent of this marketing spending is on pricing strategies, which includes those coupons and other discounts that will essentially nullify the 50-cent increase.
“Increasing the cigarette tax by a $1-per-pack would have saved lives, reduced health care costs and raised even more revenue. It would’ve helped 29,400 adult smokers quit and would’ve kept 23,200 kids from becoming smokers. Additionally, it would’ve saved an estimated $1.07 billion in long-term health care costs. Further, a $1.00 increase would’ve raised millions more in new revenue than a 50-cent increase.
“Today’s vote was a vote to raise taxes, not to reduce smoking. This vote ensures Kentucky will continue to have some of the highest smoking rates in the nation. As such, we will continue to suffer from high rates of chronic disease and premature death attributable to smoking.
“The legislature had a chance to make improving health a priority and they missed it.”
###
Erica Palmer-Smith, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: [email protected]
Tonya Chang, American Heart Association: [email protected]
Heather Wehrheim, American Lung Association: [email protected]
Amy Barkley, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: [email protected]
More Press Releases About