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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Amy
Giancoli Hartman |
State Rep. Babette
Josephs |
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Josephs: Double cigarette tax, increase other tobacco taxes to save lives
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 -- State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., once again is putting forward a proposal to increase the state’s cigarette tax and implement a tax on all other tobacco products in an effort to discourage people from smoking and generate additional state revenue to pay for health care.
"Tobacco consumption, most notably non-cigarette tobacco use, is one of the fastest-growing detrimental health habits in Pennsylvania," Josephs said. "By making these products more expensive, we can make children less likely to purchase them and save lives. Now that the governor has unveiled his sweeping health-care plan for Pennsylvania and mentioned my proposal as a way to help pay for it, I believe this legislation is ripe for action."
Josephs' bill would increase the cigarette tax by $1.35 per pack, making it the highest state cigarette tax in the nation. For the first time ever in Pennsylvania, it also would place a tax on other tobacco products, such as cigars and chaw. The tax on most non-cigarette tobacco products would be set at 50 percent of the wholesale price; the tax on cigars would be capped at 75 cents to avoid unfair taxation on expensive cigars. Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that does not tax tobacco products other than cigarettes.
"Other state governments use taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco as a revenue maker. Why not Pennsylvania?" Josephs said.
According to Josephs, the legislation would generate an additional $600 million annually in state revenue and reduce the number of smokers by 82,000. It also would result in a 25 percent decline in youth smoking and a 40 percent decline in use of other tobacco products.
"Tobacco purveyors are actively selling non-cigarette tobacco products to youth with the false and deceptive message that they are safer than cigarettes,” Josephs said. “This marketing strategy works in part because manufacturers can point out that unlike cigarettes, the state doesn’t even tax these products such as pipe tobacco, chaw and cigars. If we want to discourage tobacco use, especially among children, a tax should be imposed on all types of tobacco.”
Josephs noted that health-care and lost productivity costs related to smoking are increasing -- the figure is currently estimated at $10 a pack.
“We need to do something to curb this dangerous habit and start making people who use these products and put their health and the health of those around them at risk pay their fair share," she added, noting that others support her view. Polls consistently show that between 75 and 85 percent of Pennsylvania voters support taxing non-cigarette tobacco products and increasing cigarette taxes.
"I think increasing cigarette and other tobacco taxes is a smart way to fund health-care programs and it would provide the added benefit of curbing youth tobacco use. It's the responsible thing to do."
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