Taxing tobacco, particularly cigarettes, raises revenue, but its more important purpose is to discourage tobacco use, particularly among children. That is reason enough to support it
Amendment 72 would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.75, from 84 cent per pack to $2.59. Other tobacco products – cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff and the like – are taxed at a rate of 40 percent of manufacturers list price. That would increase to 62 percent.
Revenue generated by the tax would be dedicated to medical research, tobacco-use prevention efforts and other health-related programs. It is projected to bring in more than $300 million.
It is hard to find a legitimate objection to that. Complaints about government overreach are diversions, ignoring the obvious and odious health effects of tobacco.
Smoking causes lung disease, including cancer and emphysema, as well as heart disease and strokes. According to the Center for Disease Control, it kills more than 480,000 people in the U.S. every year.
Most smokers pick up the habit as kids and studies show that children are the most easily deterred by higher taxes. Raising taxes on unwelcome things and behaviors is time-honored policy based on proven economics.
Vote ‘yes’ on Amendment 72.
