Washington, D.C. – June 22, 2010 – “Governor Paterson and the New York state legislature took a major step to save lives and protect public health by increasing the state’s cigarette tax by $1.60 to a total of $4.35 a pack. The increase, which makes New York’s cigarette tax the first to top $4 per pack, will mean fewer smokers, more revenue and healthier futures for the thousands of kids who will never try smoking as a result. The increase will go into effect July 1.
“The American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), championed the tobacco tax increase in New York to prompt current smokers to quit and prevent youth from starting. An estimated 2.6 million adults and 21,000 youth in the state currently smoke. On average, 25,400 adults in New York die each year as a result of tobacco use. Research has consistently shown 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 legislature also increased taxes on other tobacco products from 46 percent of the wholesale price to 75 percent beginning Aug 1. In addition, lawmakers voted to start collecting cigarette taxes beginning Sept. 1 from wholesalers who sell to Indian reservations – the boldest, most encouraging step yet to halt the flow of untaxed cigarette sales.
“The new taxes will provide an estimated $440 million in revenue for health programs in the state – including money for tobacco cessation programs and $71.6 million for the state cancer research center in Buffalo.
“Tobacco taxes are one of the most effective ways to sharply reduce smoking, thereby reducing necessary health spending and lowering the cancer burden in a state. During these cash-strapped times, we encourage lawmakers to consider a tobacco tax increase as a reliable means to invest in critical state health programs and shrink budget shortfalls. It’s a win for states every way you look at it.
“Since 2002, 46 states, the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories have raised their cigarette tax in more than 100 separate instances, including 14 states and the District of Columbia in 2009 alone. New York is the sixth state to increase its taxes in 2010, preceded by South Carolina, Hawaii, Washington, New Mexico and Utah. By July 1, the new average state cigarette tax will be $1.45 per pack. Cigarette taxes currently range from a low of 17 cents in Missouri to a high of $3.46 in Rhode Island. After July 1, New York will have the highest tax.
“The use of tobacco products remains the nation’s number one cause of preventable death, killing more than 440,000 Americans and costing $96 billion in direct health care costs each year.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Nicole Bender
(202) 661-5773
[email protected]
Steven Weiss
(202) 661-5711
[email protected]