Press Release: Ohio Cannot Afford to Miss the Opportunity

 For Immediate Release:                                                                                               Contact:

June 9, 2015                                                                                     Shelly Kiser, 740-739-0187

Ohio Cannot Afford to Miss the Opportunity to Reduce Tobacco Use Rates

This statement can be attributed to Shelly Kiser, spokesperson for the Investing in Tobacco-Free Youth Coalition, on the Senate’s tobacco related provisions in HB64.

“The toll of tobacco in Ohio is great. Ohio has the 8^th highest smoking rate in the country and loses too many lives and spends too much because of tobacco use.

The good news is we know what works in tobacco use prevention and cessation—the combination of significantly increasing tobacco taxes regularly, investing in tobacco prevention and cessation programs that use Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proven best practices, and comprehensive smoke-free laws that cover all work places.

The budget released by the Senate today includes an increase in the cigarette tax of 40 cents per pack and a modest increase in the tax rate on other tobacco products, and recognizes the important role of investing in prevention and cessation programs.

While we appreciate the opportunity to discuss the importance of tobacco taxes in this budget, the Senate proposal is not large enough to have a significant public health benefit. 

Because the industry can offset smaller tax increases through discounting and rebates with retailers and customers, we continue to fully support Governor Kasich’s proposal of a $1.00 per pack increase in the cigarette tax as having the greatest public health benefit.  

We urge the Senate in its final deliberations and in the Conference Committee to support Governor Kasich’s proposal. A recent poll shows that seven in 10 voters support increasing the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack.

We are grateful for the commitment by the Administration and the steps by the Senate to address the tobacco epidemic in Ohio. Keeping kids from starting to use tobacco and helping smokers quit is good for Ohio’s health and our bottom line.  We cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”

Investing in Tobacco-Free Youth is a coalition supported by a diverse group of organizations spearheading a campaign to reduce the burden of tobacco use in Ohio. The coalition is led by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

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