ANNAPOLIS – Today, the Maryland Senate joined its colleagues in the House in voting to override Governor Hogan’s veto of a potentially lifesaving tobacco tax increase.
Annapolis, Md. —Today, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed bill HB732, which included line items for increasing the state cigarette tax by $1.75 per pack and earmarking $18.25 million toward tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot issued the final report yesterday from the Task Force on Electronic Smoking Devices, outlining the task force’s recommendations to reduce youth e-cigarette use. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) determined that the plan misses the mark in terms seeing worthwhile results.
The following statement can be attributed to Jocelyn Collins, Maryland Government Relations Director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN): “The scope of Comptroller Franchot’s proposal is far too limited—as this issue doesn’t just start and end with some e-cigarettes. We need to pass HB3/SB233 to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Maryland, including flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes. If passed, this bill would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products including electronic smoking devices (often called e-cigarettes), menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and smokeless tobacco.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, cancer patients and survivors from across the state will head to the Maryland State Capitol to meet with state lawmakers about supporting bills to end the sale of all flavored tobacco in Maryland. (HB3/SB233) and to increase the state’s tobacco excise tax by $2 per pack on cigarettes with a parallel tax of 86% of the wholesale price on all other tobacco products including e-cigarettes (SB3/HB 732).
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Lung Association (ALA), and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids all stand united in saying that we recognize Comptroller Franchot for his concerns about the e-cigarette epidemic; however, now is the time for proven policy solutions.
Statement of mourning for longtime health advocate Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) who died at the age of 68.
ANNAPOLIS - Today, Gov. Larry Hogan will enact two measures that will protect Maryland’s youth from increased risk of cancer.
Earlier today, Maryland’s House of Delegates and Senate passed bills that would increase the state’s age of tobacco sales to 21. Because the bills have slight differences, they will likely go to conference committee to reach a settlement on the proposed language.