ANNAPOLIS, MD – January 26, 2012 - It’s not any new news that the State of Maryland could use some extra revenue these days. What if there was a funding source that could help fund valuable tobacco control programs and health care, save lives, and to top it off, has major public support. This is why advocates from many public health organizations joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown came together today to urge the General Assembly to enact the Governor’s proposed life-saving increase in the state’s tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco.
Organizations present included Healthcare For All! Coalition, AARP, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and MedChi (the state Medical Society).
“It’s a priority of the American Cancer Society to reduce suffering and deaths due to tobacco-related illness including deaths and illness from cigarettes and other non-cigarette tobacco,” said Bonita Pennino, government relations director for the American Cancer Society. “Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Maryland. Raising the cost of cigarettes and other tobacco products is the most effective means of reducing tobacco use and initiation.”
Approximately 7,100 Maryland citizens die annually from tobacco use related diseases. Regardless of the form of tobacco, increased consumption, early onset and duration of use increases the risk of developing cancer. Cancer risk has markedly increased among little cigar smokers, including cancers of lung, head and neck, esophagus, and bladder. Cigars, little cigars, and cigarettes are comparable in their risk of tobacco-related lung cancer, especially when inhaled like cigarettes.
“Too many of Maryland youth are starting to turn to non-cigarette tobacco because they are less expensive compared to cigarettes,” said Kimberlia DuHart, chair of the Society’s Maryland government relations public policy committee. “Studies show that for every 10 % increase in the price of tobacco, youth smoking rates decline 7% and adult rates decline 4%.”
According to the Tobacco Free Kids, an increase in Maryland’s current non-cigarette tobacco products tax to 66 percent wholesale price, would result in an overall decline in consumption by approximately 18 percent, and youth prevalence would decline by 33.4 percent. An increase in Maryland’s cigarette tax rate by $1.00 and an increase in non-cigarette tobacco products tax rate to 95 percent to match the new cigarette tax rate, overall consumption would be reduced by about 28 percent, and youth prevalence by 52 percent.
“Now is the time for Marylanders to use their voices and urge their state lawmakers to pass tobacco tax legislation to prevent premature death due to tobacco-related illnesses. To help mobilize advocates on this issue, the American Cancer Society is holding a legislative meeting and lobby night with our volunteers on January 30 so they can meet with their state lawmakers and urge them to support raising the tobacco tax,” said Sherry McCammon, grassroots manager for the Society. “Supporters can visit acscan.org/maryland for more information on this issue and learn how they can get involved.”
“Revenue from a new tax increase will bring in much needed dollars for the State to help fund critical health care and tobacco control programs,” said Pennino.
Additional data from the Tobacco Free Kids states that a $1 cigarette tax increase would generate $99.46 million in new revenue. The OTP tax increase to parallel rates would generate another $38.60 million in addition to the cigarette tax revenue, for a total of $138.06 million.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For more information visit acscan.org/maryland.
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