Minnesota Tobacco Tax Reduces Smoking Rates: Study

A new research study finds that Minnesota's tobacco tax is reducing smoking rates. The research study, led by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), finds that among Minnesotans who successfully quit smoking in the past year, 63 percent reported that the price increase helped them make a quit attempt and helped keep them from smoking again.

"This new study makes clear that making cigarettes less easily accessible to children and adults means fewer Minnesotans start smoking, and are more likely to quit," said Gov. Mark Dayton in a statement.

Data from the Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey shows that the tobacco tax implemented by the Minnesota Legislature in 2013 resulted in 61 percent of survey respondents considering quitting smoking; 48 percent cutting down on smoking; and over 44 percent attempting to quit, according to a news release.

"This study clearly demonstrates that the tobacco tax helps smokers in communities around the state quit," said Health Commissioner Ehlinger. "The tobacco tax inflator ensures that the positive effects highlighted in this study can be sustained over time to reduce tobacco use among children and adults across Minnesota. Republicans’ move to eliminate the inflator this session greatly weakens this important public health tool."

Smokers of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately impacted by the health effects of tobacco, and saw particularly positive impacts in the new study. The MDH-led study found these Minnesotans were nearly twice as likely to take steps to reduce their tobacco use, as compared to other smokers.

Advocates say raising the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products makes them too expensive for kids to buy, and can give people who smoke an incentive to quit. Since the tobacco tax became law in 2013, smoking has decreased by one third among Minnesota’s 11th graders, according health officials.

"The majority of my friends are 15, 16 and 17 years old. I would guess about half of them use tobacco products," said Meghan McFarling, Mounds View High School student.

"This year, the Legislature decided to make cigars cheaper. Well, I’ve seen from other kids how smokers start with the cheap products, because you can afford them. I want to thank Governor Dayton for helping protect our teens and future generations to come from these dangerous and deadly products. I hope Minnesota lawmakers are listening and will join us!"

"Cigars appeal a lot to young men who look like me. They make guys feel important, like they’re rich and powerful. And once you try it, you’re hooked," said Traielle Godfrey of Saint Paul, who works to prevent youth tobacco use. "At the Capitol, when they agreed to cut the price on cigars, I don’t know what they were thinking. I don’t know how they thought they could get away with it. I’m glad the Governor noticed and is trying to make other people notice. Thank you, Governor. I hope they listen to you."

In addition to reducing tobacco use, Minnesota’s tobacco tax also has a potentially powerful effect on reducing health care costs. In Minnesota, smoking was responsible for $3.2 billion in excess medical expenditures in 2014.

About Minnesota Republicans’ Tobacco Tax Cut
In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law that increased the tax on tobacco, raising taxes on cigarettes by $1.60 per pack. The law also made sure that the price of tobacco would continue to increase in future years, to keep up with the rising cost of inflation.

Image via nerissa's ring, Flickr, used under Creative Commons