Tobacco Pricing

State Policy

Health coalition to call for $1 increase in Maryland's tobacco tax (MD)
The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, government officials, students, and teachers gathered in Annapolis for a news conference that launched a campaign for Maryland to increase its cigarette tax by $1. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Maryland law school, the July 2012 tax increase in Maryland on smokeless tobacco and cheap cigars greatly reduced the prevalence of teens using those products. The tax on smokeless and smoking tobacco increased from 15% of wholesale value to 30%, and the tax on non-premium cigars (e.g. cigarillos, Swisher Sweets, and Black & Milds) increased from 15% to 70%. Previous tax increases in the state have resulted in a 40% decrease in smoking among teens in the past fifteen years, and research provides supportive evidence that price increases deter teens from using tobacco. A cigarette tax increase could further reduce tobacco use among youth in the state, the health advocates say. Click here to read more about the news conference. Click here to read more about the University of Maryland study, and click here to read the full report.

Missouri keeps tobacco tax as the lowest in the nation (MO)
Missouri voters have defeated Proposition B, which would have increased the cigarette tax in the state by 90 cents per pack. Missouri has the lowest state cigarette tax rate in the country at $0.17 per pack, and this proposition is the third attempt by anti-tobacco groups in eleven years to increase state taxes on cigarettes or other tobacco products. Supporters of the tax increase state that tobacco taxes encourage smokers to quit, and the tax revenue would have funded education and health programs in the state. Click here to read more.

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International

Cigarette prices to rise on navy ships (Australia)
The Australian Navy is following the American Navy’s lead in promoting health among sailors by increasing the price of cigarettes. The cost of cigarettes available to sailors has been cheaper than cigarette prices in the broader community. In the interest of improving the health of sailors, the prices will increase to the same rate as the rest of the country. This price increase is effective January 1, 2013. Click here to read more.

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