A new poll revealed that 60% of voters would support a $1 increase per pack of cigarettes, and that voters would prefer a tax hike over budget cuts. Reuters states that a tax increase on cigarettes could raise billions of dollars for struggling states. John Seffrin, chief executive of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said, “An increase in tobacco tax rates is not only sound public health policy but a smart and predictable way to help boost the economy and generate long-term health savings for states facing deepening budget deficits.”
According to Reuters, the report says, “Each year in the United States, smoking-caused disease results in $96 billion in health care costs, much of which is paid by taxpayers through higher insurance premiums and government-funded health programs such as Medicaid.” If the price of cigarettes were to increase, the rate of smokers would decrease, and it would prevent people from starting smoking in the first place. The report predicts that a $1 increase per pack of cigarettes would lead to 1.2 million adult smokers quitting.
Would you support a tax hike on cigarettes?
Related Posts:
Previous post: Too Much Plastic Surgery?
Next post: Can’t Afford Cosmetic Surgery? Help Is On The Way!
