Maryland Cancer Action Center

Today, the Maryland Legislature passed HB732, which included line items for increasing state tobacco taxes and earmarked $18.25 million toward tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The approved tax will include a $1.75-per-pack cigarette tax increase and increases in tax on some types of other tobacco products.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot issued the final report yesterday from the Task Force on Electronic Smoking Devices, outlining the task force’s recommendations to reduce youth e-cigarette use. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) determined that the plan misses the mark in terms seeing worthwhile results.

The following statement can be attributed to Jocelyn Collins, Maryland Government Relations Director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN): “The scope of Comptroller Franchot’s proposal is far too limited—as this issue doesn’t just start and end with some e-cigarettes. We need to pass HB3/SB233 to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Maryland, including flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes. If passed, this bill would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products including electronic smoking devices (often called e-cigarettes), menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and smokeless tobacco.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, cancer patients and survivors from across the state will head to the Maryland State Capitol to meet with state lawmakers about supporting bills to end the sale of all flavored tobacco in Maryland. (HB3/SB233) and to increase the state’s tobacco excise tax by $2 per pack on cigarettes with a parallel tax of 86% of the wholesale price on all other tobacco products including e-cigarettes (SB3/HB 732).