WASHINGTON, D.C. -- July 16, 2007 -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) today sent a letter to the members of the Senate Finance Committee urging approval of a 61 cents per pack increase in the federal cigarette excise tax and a comparable increase for other tobacco products. The tax increase is included in a bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), slated for Committee mark up tomorrow evening.
The federal cigarette tax currently stands at just 39 cents, with the last increase of five cents taking effect in 2002. An increase of 61 cents would have an exponential positive impact on the United States by raising much-needed federal revenue, lowering use of tobacco products and thereby reducing death and disease and health care costs associated with use.
The full text of the letter is included below.
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society, which is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
July 16, 2007
Dear Senator:
On behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), we strongly urge members of the Senate Finance Committee to support adoption of the Chairman’s bipartisan bill to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) paid for by an increase in the federal tobacco tax.
ACS CAN, and its sister charity organization, the American Cancer Society, have consistently fought for public policies that discourage the use of tobacco by young people and encourage smokers to quit. Research indicates that a ten percent increase in the price per pack of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by seven percent and overall cigarette consumption by about four percent.
In addition:
Health care savings from reduced tobacco-related complications during pregnancy would be more than $420 million.
The Society strongly supported the 1997 legislation which increased the federal tobacco tax to help pay for SCHIP. ACS CAN and the Society believe it is a natural and essential step for this Congress to once again make good public health policy by increasing the tobacco tax to benefit children’s health and positively impact smoking rates. We look forward to working with you and your Senate colleagues to ensure that we seize the opportunity for this significant public health improvement measure to become law.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Smith, President
Wendy K.D. Selig, Vice President, Legislative Affairs