Tobacco Taxes

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Tobacco Control

Increasing tobacco taxes are proven to be an effective way to prevent children from smoking and help adults quit.  

We are working in states across the country and in Congress to save more lives by passing regular and significant tax increases on all tobacco products. And this doesn't just include cigarettes, but also other dangerous products like smokeless tobacco and cigars. 

State cigarette taxes range from a low of 17 cents per pack in Missouri to a high of $5.35 per pack in New York. Additionally, Puerto Rico taxes cigarettes at $5.10 per pack.

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Colorado Survivors, Patients Highlight Tobacco Prevention and Access to Care with State Lawmakers

March 12, 2025
Colorado

Volunteer advocates, including cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers from across Colorado convened at the state capitol for ‘Cancer Action Day’ Wednesday, an event hosted annually by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Volunteer advocates met with lawmakers and discussed supporting access to care and sustaining funding for tobacco prevention and cessation.

House Passes South Dakota Senate Bill 54, Holds the Door Open for Big Tobacco

March 5, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –– The passage of Senate Bill 54 on Wednesday marked a disappointing step backward for public health and cancer prevention in South Dakota as it strips voter-initiated funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation fund by 60%. Those funds were overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2006 to

Patient Advocates Urge Governor Murphy to Make Stronger Commitment on Tobacco Tax

February 27, 2025
New Jersey

Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy released his proposed budget for 2025. In response, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Quinton Law issued the following statement, highlighting how Governor Murphy can amplify his intended impact of improving public health and addressing the deficit by increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

South Dakota Senate Bill 54 Holds the Door Open for Big Tobacco

February 24, 2025
South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. –- The passage of Senate Bill 54 on Thursday marked a disappointing step backward for public health and cancer prevention in South Dakota. If enacted, it would strip voter-initiated funding for the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation fund by 60%. Those funds were overwhelmingly approved by voters in

Tobacco Taxes Resources

The Importance of Tax Parity for All Tobacco Products

February 15, 2024

Increasing tobacco excise taxes is one of the best ways to reduce overall tobacco use. It is important that when considering an excise tax increase on any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, that the tax should be increased on all tobacco products at an equivalent rate to encourage people to quit rather than switch to a cheaper product, and prevent youth from starting to use any tobacco product.

 

Despite Industry Claims, Tobacco Taxes Do Not Cause Illicit Trade

February 8, 2024

When faced with mounting evidence that tobacco tax increases effectively reduce tobacco use, tobacco manufacturers will try to distract policymakers from the material facts by invoking dire warnings of reduced revenue due to increased illicit activity including widespread smuggling and other organized crime that they claim will result from increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Tobacco Excise Taxes Improve the Health of People with Limited Incomes

April 20, 2023

Tobacco excise taxes benefit people with limited incomes and reduce tobacco-related health disparities, especially when tobacco excise tax revenues are dedicated to cessation programs that serve people with limited incomes.