ETTERS TO THE EDITOR
OPINION:
Raising cigarette tax would create funds to back quitting programs
By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Posted on Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.
Wouldn’t it be great if every smoker had the opportunity to quit smoking? Cessation or “quit” services would be readily available and cost wouldn’t be a barrier. What a phenomenal thought. This could very well become a possibility by raising the tax on cigarettes to $3 per pack and by raising the tax on other tobacco products to parity.
Tobacco-related illnesses such as heart disease, chronic respiratory ailments and stroke cost the Medicaid program $1.1 billion annually. Any attempt to address this issue must include a discussion on reducing tobacco use. Raising taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, and dedicating that increased revenue to comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs, would reduce smoking rates in Michigan, especially among disproportionally impacted populations such as those with low income or mental health illnesses.
Higher tobacco prices also prevent youth from starting to use tobacco, and prompt current smokers to quit. Gov. Rick Snyderhas prioritized decreasing the tobacco use rate in Michigan as part of his 4X4 Health and Wellness Plan. Raising the state tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products would move Michigan in the right direction to achieve this goal.
Policymakers are in a unique position. We know the problems caused by tobacco use and we know that comprehensive prevention and cessation programs play a critical part in the solution. We have a clear revenue source to fund the solution. All we need is the political will to act.
DeBorah Borden
Ypsilanti
Tobacco Use Prevention Coordinator
Washtenaw County Tobacco Reduction Coalition
Tags: letter to the editor
By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Posted on Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.
Wouldn’t it be great if every smoker had the opportunity to quit smoking? Cessation or “quit” services would be readily available and cost wouldn’t be a barrier. What a phenomenal thought. This could very well become a possibility by raising the tax on cigarettes to $3 per pack and by raising the tax on other tobacco products to parity.
Tobacco-related illnesses such as heart disease, chronic respiratory ailments and stroke cost the Medicaid program $1.1 billion annually. Any attempt to address this issue must include a discussion on reducing tobacco use. Raising taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products, and dedicating that increased revenue to comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs, would reduce smoking rates in Michigan, especially among disproportionally impacted populations such as those with low income or mental health illnesses.
Higher tobacco prices also prevent youth from starting to use tobacco, and prompt current smokers to quit. Gov. Rick Snyderhas prioritized decreasing the tobacco use rate in Michigan as part of his 4X4 Health and Wellness Plan. Raising the state tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products would move Michigan in the right direction to achieve this goal.
Policymakers are in a unique position. We know the problems caused by tobacco use and we know that comprehensive prevention and cessation programs play a critical part in the solution. We have a clear revenue source to fund the solution. All we need is the political will to act.
DeBorah Borden
Ypsilanti
Tobacco Use Prevention Coordinator
Washtenaw County Tobacco Reduction Coalition
Tags: letter to the editor
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario