SAFE GC Coalition:Cigarette Tax Hike May Delay Youth Initiation

On September 1, New York State increased the cigarette price by $1.00 per pack of 20 cigarettes. That brings cigarettes to somewhere around $10 or more per pack in the state, making it the highest cigarette tax in the USA.

This is the first tax increase since 2010. The last time cigarette taxes were raised in New York was a year later than the last boost in the federal tobacco taxes. The federal cigarette tax increased by $0.62 per pack in 2009. Following the quick federal cigarette tax increase revenues skyrocketed, cigarette pack sales declined, and smoking among youth and adults declined. Before that, the last federal cigarette tax rate increase was in 2002.

The current federal cigarette tax is $1.01 per pack in addition to state and local taxes. Cities can impose additional takes such as Philadelphia and New York City. If you purchase a pack in New York City the cost per pack of 20 cigarettes with combined New York State and New York City taxes is $6.85 up from $5.85. Currently, the current average state cigarette tax is $1.93 per pack.

An analysis released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) of the budgetary and economic hikes estimated that roughly 7% of the nation’s total annual healthcare spending a decade ago was attributable to smoking. The Federal Agency hypothesized that an increase of 50 cents per pack in the federal tax on cigarettes and small cigars would have over a decade reduced those costs and lowered the federal budget deficit. The predicted drop in the federal deficit would have been about $42 billion through 2021.

Further the CBO also found that a tax hike would result in fewer smokers. They projected that the number of 12- to 17-year-olds who smoked cigarettes would be about 5% lower, the number of 18-year-old smokers would be 4.5% lower, the number of 19- to 39-year-old smokers would be almost 4% lower, and the number of smokers aged 40 or older would be about 1.5% lower. The American Lung Association has noted that increasing the price of cigarettes, including raising taxes, would reduce tobacco use. They suggest that a 10% increase in the cost of cigarettes would result in a 4% drop in adult smokers and 7% drop in kids who smoke.

The federal agency estimates that each 1% rise in the price of cigarettes would result in roughly a 0.3% decline in the number of smokers. It is suggested that this estimate can not only result in fewer smokers, but also a reduction in the average number of cigarettes smoked by those who continue to use cigarettes. The goal of seeing a reduction in the overall number of current teenage and young adult smokers would eventually translate into a lower percentage of adults who smoked in years to come.

There is a correlation between tax hikes and reductions in smoking. Research demonstrates that raising prices makes access harder for youth. According to SAFE, the best method of avoiding harm is not to ever start smoking/vaping and to “Live SAFE”.

The goals and objectives of the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition draw on a community-wide approach to change community norms, values, and policies about alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse that foster consistent standards for behavior and the need for prevention. The Organization has been partnering in bringing prevention education and resources in collaboration with Carol Meschkow, Manager- Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island their technical partner in conjunction with the Glen Cove Middle School and the Youth Bureau to advance a tobacco free City and help change the social norms about the acceptability of tobacco.

For information on how to quit smoking or vaping tobacco or nicotine, the NYS Smoker’ provides free and confidential services that include information, tools, quit coaching, and support in both English and Spanish. Services are available by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), texting (716) 309-4688, or visiting www.nysmokefree.com, for information, to chat online with a Quit Coach, or to sign up for Learn2QuitNY, a six-week, step-by-step text messaging program to build the skills you need to quit any tobacco product. Individuals aged 13 to 24 can text "DropTheVape" to 88709 to receive age-appropriate quit assistance.

Please visit the American Lung Association on their Website at: www.american lung.org. For help Quitting smoking/vaping or to help a loved one beat a Nicotine Addition the American Lung Association is committed to helping educate, intervene, and prevent the use of tobacco and nicotine by the next generation. The Lung HelpLine, available via phone or online and is ready to assist teens between the ages of 13 -17 in quitting tobacco, including vaping. Call 800-LUNGUSA or chat online through their website at Lung.org.

SAFE, Inc. is the only alcohol and substance abuse prevention, intervention, and education agency in the City of Glen Cove. The Coalition is concerned about all combustible and electronic products with marijuana and tobacco. The Agency is employing environmental strategies to educate and update the community regarding the negative consequences in collaboration with Carol Meschkow, Manager- Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow www.facebook.com/safeglencovec... or to learn more about electronic products visit the Vaping Facts and Myths Page of SAFE’s website to learn more about how vaping is detrimental to your health www.safeglencove.org.