The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is leading efforts this legislative session to reduce the toll of tobacco on Utahns. Along with partner organizations, ACS CAN is urging state lawmakers to support HB 337 which would increase the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack while also ensuring that all other tobacco products are taxed at an appropriate rate.
Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among kids. This session, lawmakers can protect future generations of Utahns and send a clear message – Big Tobacco is not welcomed in the state. Currently, smoking is attributed to more than 15% of cancer deaths in Utah, $630 million in annual health care costs, and more than $135 million in Medicaid costs.
Big Tobacco spends more than $38 million a year marketing its products to Utahns, including young people who are twice as sensitive to such advertising compared to adults.
“It’s been 16 years since Utah lawmakers last raised the tobacco tax,” said Brook Carlisle ACS CAN Utah Government Relations Director. “During that time, Big Tobacco has been allowed to hook even more generations to their products – including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches Smoking continues to be the leading preventable cause of death in Utah. Our lawmakers have an obligation to protect future generations of our state from becoming addicted to these products. Supporting HB 337 is one way they can do just that.”
One of the best things states can do to improve public health, generate revenue and provide funding for critical unmet needs is to significantly increase tobacco taxes and invest in tobacco control programs.
The House Revenue and Taxation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on HB 337 Thursday, February 12th at 8:00 a.m. inside Capitol Room 445. The following week, on Friday, February 20th, cancer survivors and patients from across the state will unite at the state capitol for Cancer Action Day as they plan to meet with state lawmakers about supporting the bill and other policies to aid in the fight against cancer.