As West Virginia American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers, we are elated that Senator Jay Rockefeller has signed on as a co-sponsor of S. 826.
The "Tobacco Tax and Reform Act," (S. 826), would increase the federal cigarette excise tax by 94 cents, as well as increase the federal taxes on all other tobacco products, provide better enforcement of tobacco tax collection and crack down on illicit tobacco activities.
As grandparents of six, we hope that our grandchildren never use tobacco. Each day, more than 3,000 youngsters smoke their first cigarette. Seventy school buses filled with children who will be taking their first puff! Statistics show that an increase in tobacco tax encourages tobacco users to quit and discourages youth from starting a tobacco habit.
This legislation would keep nearly 2 million children from becoming addicted adult smokers, save more than 600,000 youths from premature smoking-caused death, and over 10 years would result in nearly 2.6 million fewer adult smokers. It would also save the nation more than $63 billion in long-term health care costs.
As previous tobacco users, we can relate to how difficult stopping tobacco use is, even when one of us had cancer. The best way to stop is to never start. If one cannot afford to purchase tobacco, then the likelihood of never using it is considerably higher.
As volunteers for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, we appreciate Senator Rockefeller for co-sponsoring such an important issue.
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