Tobacco Taxes

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Tobacco Control

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 $4.50 in Washington, D.C., with an average state tax of $1.91 per pack.

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New York State Budget Produces Mixed Results in Fight against Cancer

May 1, 2023
New York

ALBANY, NY – MAY 1, 2023 – Earlier today New York State leaders released details on the agreed upon 2023-24 budget and will soon adopt each of the budget bills—the contents of which are a mixed bag at best in the fight against cancer. While the state made sound investments

Legislature Missed Opportunity to Protect Hoosier Kids

April 28, 2023
Indiana

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is beyond disappointed that the legislature prioritized Big Tobacco’s profits over the health of Hoosiers.

MEDIA ADVISORY – PRESS CONFERENCE: Buffalo Community Leaders Rally around Governor Hochul’s Tobacco Proposals, Moved by Data Showing Link between Tobacco Use & Cancer Deaths

March 11, 2023
New York

BUFFALO, NY –MARCH 11, 2023 – As budget discussions among state legislators pick up speed at the Capitol, Erie County religious, health and community leaders are set to rally alongside cancer patients and survivors on Monday, March 13. Following the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) release of

Data Released Showing Link between Tobacco Use & Cancer Deaths in Erie County, NY

March 10, 2023
New York

BUFFALO, NY—MARCH 8, 2023— Utilizing data from the New York State Cancer Registry, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released data showing the devastating impact that cancers linked to tobacco have on New Yorkers, specifically those living in Erie County: Between 2015-2019, 46,417 people on average

Tobacco Taxes Resources

Tobacco Excise Taxes Improve the Health of People with Limited Incomes

April 20, 2023

Tobacco excise taxes benefit people with limited incomes and reduce tobacco-related health disparities, especially when tobacco excise tax revenues are dedicated to cessation programs that serve people with limited incomes.

Significant Cigarette Tax Increases Generate New Revenue

April 3, 2023

Significant tobacco tax increases are one of the most effective ways to prevent kids from starting to use tobacco and help adults quit. Substantial increases in cigarette tax rates also generate new revenue. In fact, every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has also boosted its state revenue - even after accounting for revenue loss due to beneficial declines in cigarette purchases resulting from the tax increase. 

Effective Policies Known to Prevent Tobacco Use and Address Tobacco-Related Disparities

March 6, 2023

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.