Tobacco Taxes

Share

Photo of a woman breaking a cigarette in half

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 $5.35 per pack in New York. Additionally, Puerto Rico taxes cigarettes at $5.10 per pack.

Latest Updates

See More Updates

Courage in Action: Cancer Survivors Unite at State Capitol to Advocate for Change

May 7, 2025
Illinois

Illinois Must Do Better to Reduce the Burden of Cancer

Courage in Action: Cancer Survivors Unite at State Capitol to Advocate for Change

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

State Takes Bold Step for Hoosier Health: Tobacco Tax Increase Applauded for Protecting Youth and Saving Lives

April 25, 2025
Indiana

Today, the Indiana legislature passed the budget increasing tobacco taxes, which will help prevent tobacco use and help those already addicted quit.

Colorado Survivors, Patients Highlight Tobacco Prevention and Access to Care with State Lawmakers

March 12, 2025
Colorado

Volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers from across Colorado convened at the state capitol for ‘Cancer Action Day’ Wednesday, an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Volunteer advocates met with lawmakers and discussed supporting access to care and sustaining funding for tobacco prevention and cessation.

Tobacco Taxes Resources

State Tobacco Tax Increases: Explanations and Sources for Projections of New Revenues & Benefits

January 8, 2025

The economic model developed jointly by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (TFK), the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), and Economics for Health (housed at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) projects the increase in state revenues, public health benefits, and health care cost savings resulting from increases in state cigarette tax rates.  The projections are updated annually.  Calculations are based on economic modeling by Frank Chaloupka, Ph.D., and John Tauras, Ph.D., at the Institute for Health Research and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jidong Huang, Ph.D., at Georgia State University, and Michael Pesko, Ph.D., at the University of Missouri.

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

July 23, 2024

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.

Tobacco Excise Tax Increases: Save Lives. Reduce Health Care Costs. Generate Revenue.

July 23, 2024

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.