WASHINGTON, D.C. -- May 14, 2008 -- The District of Columbia Council has joined the growing number of states that are increasing their tobacco taxes as a way to discourage children and adults from smoking by doubling the District’s cigarette tax to $2 per pack.
This is a huge victory for the people of the District who last year benefited from the passage of a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law. The Committee of the Whole has taken the first of two votes.
“The DC Council's commitment to the reduction of tobacco use, especially among District youth, has been vocal and is once again to be applauded,” said Victoria Wells, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society’s D.C. office.
The second vote by the full DC Council will occur on June 3, but no change to the tax increase is expected. The tax is expected to take effect this fall when the 2009 budget year begins.
“We commend this courageous vote by the DC Council. Their decision to double the cigarette tax will ultimately save lives,” said Jack Shipkoski, CEO of the Society’s South Atlantic Division.
“Raising the cigarette tax is good health policy and is a proven way to reduce smoking rates among adults and especially youths,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society. “We are extremely proud of our advocates in Washington D.C. for supporting this increase and a healthier environment for everyone. We encourage other cities and states to continue this life-saving trend.”
Statistics have shown that increasing the cigarette tax is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, especially among children. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. The District can expect the $1 cigarette tax increase to prevent some 4,100 DC kids alive today from smoking; spur 3,100 DC smokers to quit for good: save 2,100 DC residents from smoking-caused deaths; produce more than $100 million in long-term health care savings; and raise nearly $11.7 million a year in new revenue.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the District of Columbia, claiming more than 700 lives each year and costing the state $243 million annually in health care bills, including $78 million in Medicaid payments alone. Government expenditures related to tobacco amount to a hidden tax of $605 each year on every DC household. Currently, 9.2 percent of DC high school students smoke, and 500 more kids become regular smokers every year.
The current average state cigarette tax is $1.12 per pack. Since January 1, 2002, 44 states and the District of Columbia have increased cigarette taxes, some more than once. Ten states and DC now have cigarette taxes of $2 or more.
The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org/.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/.
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Nicole Bender
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