Excise Tax Resolution

Resolution in Support of an Increase in NC’s Cigarette Tax by $1.00

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco products is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in North Carolina ; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 12,000 NC children will become regular daily smokers this year ; and

WHEREAS, the best way to prevent and reduce tobacco use by children is to substantially increase the cost of cigarettes ; and

WHEREAS, a cigarette tax increase of $1.00 would result in a 17% decrease in youth smoking rates, prevent 89,500 NC children from becoming addicted adult smokers and saving 39,300 young people from premature smoking-related deaths ; and

WHEREAS, NC’s cigarette tax is currently 45-cents, the 6th lowest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco products costs the State $2.46 billion in direct healthcare costs ($769 million in Medicaid expenses alone), and $3.3 billion in lost productivity annually ; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina expects to see a $4 billion deficit (or more) for the FY2009-2010 budget; and

WHEREAS, these deficits risk cuts to important programs affecting the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians and more reductions may be threatened; and

WHEREAS, an increase in the cigarette tax of $1.00 would generate an estimated $329 million in new revenue in the first year .

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the cigarette tax in North Carolina be increased by at least $1.00 a pack.

Click here to download the Excise Tax Resolution

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List Serv

North Carolina Institute of Medicine, Task Force on Prevention, May 2008

“The Toll of Tobacco in NC,” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0211.pdf

D Hopkins & J Fielding: The Guide to Community Preventive Services: Tobacco Use Prevention & Control. Am. Journal of Preventive Medicine; 20:2S

“Benefits from a $1.oo Cigarette Tax Increase in North Carolina,” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0281.pdf

The Toll of Tobacco in NC,” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0211.pdf

The Toll of Tobacco in NC,” Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0211.pdf

Click here to download the resolution