Comprehensive Tobacco Control Policies Crucial to Saving Lives, Protecting Children and Reducing the Negative Toll of Tobacco Use on Communities

Washington, D.C. – July 1, 2010 – Across the country this week, several major smoke-free laws and cigarette tax increases take effect that will save lives, protect families and improve the health of communities across the country. These strong public health measures will help to reduce overall tobacco use and incidence rates of tobacco-related cancers.

On July 1, cigarette taxes will increase in New York, New Mexico, Utah, South Carolina and Hawaii – bringing the average state cigarette tax to $1.45 per pack nationally. Smoke-free laws will go into effect in Kansas on July 1 and Wisconsin on July 5 that will make all workplaces in those states, including bars and restaurants, 100 percent smoke-free.

“Lawmakers across the country are taking a stand against the scourge of tobacco use. Comprehensive state and local smoke-free laws, higher tobacco excise taxes and fully funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs are critical to reducing the negative toll of tobacco use on communities,” said John R. Seffrin, PhD, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. “Only by tackling tobacco use through a comprehensive approach can we effectively overcome the country’s tobacco epidemic and reach our goal of a smoke-free nation.”

The Society and ACS CAN work in partnership with state policymakers across the country to ensure that tobacco use is addressed through proven methods including 1) raising the price of tobacco products, 2) implementing comprehensive smoke free policies and 3) fully funding and sustaining evidenced-based, statewide tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

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 and six states in 2010.

As of July 1 the new cigarette taxes in New York, New Mexico, Utah, South Carolina and Hawaii will be: $4.35, $1.66, $1.70, $0.57 and $3.00 respectively. New York will be the new highest tax in the nation and also the first with a tobacco tax over $4. South Carolina’s historic increase came after a decade-long battle. Until now, the state had the lowest tobacco tax in the nation and had not passed an increase since 1977. Missouri now has the lowest tax in the nation at 17 cents.

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.

In New York, the new revenue will help fund health programs in the state – including money for tobacco cessation programs and for the state cancer research center in Buffalo. A portion of the revenue from the tax increase in New Mexico will be directed to Medicaid and numerous other health services. In Utah, the revenue will support the state’s general fund.

Kansas and Wisconsin will be the 21st and 22nd states to implement comprehensive smoke-free legislation that requires 100 percent smoke-free non-hospitality workplaces, bars and restaurants. They will be the 34th and 35th states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to require some combination of 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars. Additionally, more than 3,000 municipalities have local laws in effect that restrict where smoking is permitted. Combined, this represents more than three-fourths of the U.S. population.

Secondhand smoke is a major health hazard, proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. With 4,000 chemicals and more than 60 carcinogens – including arsenic and polonium – secondhand smoke causes cancer, heart, and lung disease and kills nearly 50,000 nonsmoking Americans each year, including 3,000 deaths from lung cancer.

Smoke-free laws save lives. Strong smoke-free laws that include all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, are the only effective way to protect all workers and the public from the health hazards of secondhand smoke. Smoke-free workplaces and public places also make it easier for smokers to quit and discourage kids from picking up this deadly habit.

States with comprehensive tobacco control programs experience faster declines in cigarette sales, smoking prevalence, and lung cancer incidence and mortality than states that do not invest in these programs. The CDC recommends states spend $3.7 billion or more on tobacco control programs. Only nine states are funding at even half of the CDC’s recommend spending levels and North Dakota is the only state to approve funding control programs at the CDC prevention spending target.

“Despite major progress in passing strong tobacco control measures at the state and local levels, only 40 percent of the population is covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws and only one state currently meets the CDC’s recommended spending levels on tobacco control,” said Christopher W. Hansen, president of ACS CAN. “There is much more to be done and we encourage advocates and lawmakers to continue to work together to strengthen their state tobacco control policies.”

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
Nicole.Bender@cancer.org

Steven Weiss
(202) 661-5711
Steve.Weiss@cancer.org