Tobacco Taxes

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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

June 12, 2025
Maine

By increasing the state’s tobacco tax, we can ensure more Mainers who currently smoke will quit, and fewer kids will pick up the deadly addiction in the first place.

June 11, 2025
Ohio

Ohio Still Has an Opportunity to Generate Revenue, Protect Kids, and Save Lives

May 7, 2025
Illinois

Illinois Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

April 29, 2025
Ohio

Cancer Advocates Gathered at the Statehouse Today to Say Ohio Can and Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

Tobacco Taxes Resources

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.

 

When faced with mounting evidence that tobacco tax increases effectively reduce tobacco use, tobacco manufacturers will try to distract policymakers from the material facts by invoking dire warnings of reduced revenue due to increased illicit activity including widespread smuggling and other organized crime that they claim will result from increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

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.