Tobacco Taxes

Share

Increasing tobacco taxes are proven to be an effective way to prevent children from smoking and help adults quit.  

We are working in states across the country and in Congress to save more lives by passing regular and significant tax increases on all tobacco products. And this doesn't just include cigarettes, but also other dangerous products like smokeless tobacco and cigars. 

State cigarette taxes range from a low of 17 cents per pack in Missouri to a high of $5.35 per pack in New York. Additionally, Puerto Rico taxes cigarettes at $5.10 per pack.

Latest Updates

May 16, 2024
Maryland

Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids issued the following statement:

May 3, 2024
District Of Columbia

Today, the Committee of the Whole in the Council of the District of Columbia will host a hearing where Committee members will consider, among others, a proposal to raise the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has provided testimony to the Committee, citing the benefits that the proposal would bring to D.C., its residents and health care systems.

March 25, 2024
Nebraska

 Statement from American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Nebraska Government Relations Director Megan Word   LINCOLN, Neb . – “Late last week, the Nebraska Revenue Committee advanced a bill that fails to prioritize reducing Nebraska’s high tobacco burden. The Committee missed an opportunity to improve the health of Nebraskans

March 21, 2024
Maine

Nation’s Leading Cancer Advocacy Organization Urges Support of LD2028 Minority Report to Protect Public Health

Tobacco Taxes Resources

Tobacco use has been found to be one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities because its use disproportionately impacts people based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, mental health, income level, education level, and geographic location. Achieving health equity relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use. ACS CAN is pursuing fact-based tobacco control policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for everyone.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) supports a comprehensive approach to tobacco control that includes significantly increasing excise taxes on all tobacco products to generate revenue, protect kids, and save lives. Significant tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help adults quit.

Increasing tobacco excise taxes is one of the best ways to reduce overall tobacco use. It is important that when considering an excise tax increase on any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, that the tax should be increased on all tobacco products at an equivalent rate to encourage people to quit rather than switch to a cheaper product, and prevent youth from starting to use any tobacco product.