Cigarette taxes rose in 14 states last year
Fourteen states, the nation’s capital and the federal government hiked their cigarette taxes last year, but health officials worry that tobacco company discounts are keeping prices down.
State increases ranged from 10 cents per pack in North Carolina to $1 in Connecticut, Florida and Rhode Island. At the same time, manufacturers devote billions of dollars on marketing and on promotions to reduce cigarette prices.
Raising the price of cigarettes is said to be one of the most effective ways to discourage people from smoking, and has a large impact on teens, according to health officials. They see cigarette taxes as a very good way to drive down the U.S. adult smoking rate, which was dropping but has recently stalled at around 21% since 2004.
What do you think? Good way to stop people from smoking? Or more money for the government? Has this affected you?
Last Updated on May 14th, 2011
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