Excise Taxes

National

Cigarette tax fight not totally snuffed
While Mississippi has among the highest grocery taxes in the United States, the state excise tax on cigarettes remains among the lowest at 18 cents per pack.  This could change with at least five new cigarette tax proposals entering the state legislature. The Mississippi Hospital Association is rallying for a cigarette tax increase rather than raising the state’s hospital tax to fund Medicaid and other healthcare programs. However, the governor vetoed a cigarette tax increase in 2006, and a cigarette tax is likely to meet major opposition in the state Senate.  For more information on the progress of Mississippi’s tax increase proposal, click here.

Supporters, opponents debate Kansas cigarette tax increase
Health groups organized at a hearing in Kansas to support a fifty cent cigarette tax increase proposed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius.  The tax increase is intended to fund 21 healthcare reforms.  While there was a strong debate for increasing the excise tax to raise needed healthcare funds and cut smoking rates, there was also a contingency of anti-tax groups, merchants, and tobacco industry representatives arguing against the tax.  Read more here.

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International

£10 government permit plan to deter smokers
A new proposal from Health England, a British ministerial advisory board, would require smokers to apply for and purchase a permit to allow them to buy tobacco products.  The policy would require smokers to “opt-in” to be able to smoke, and supporters claim that it may prompt those hesitant to bother with the application process to simply quit smoking. The permits could also have the side effect of decreasing health disparities because the suggested £10 fee for the permit would provide more of a barrier to smoking among the poor than the rich.  Find out more here.

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