Tobacco is the No. 1 cause of preventable death nationwide, but a simple step by Georgia lawmakers could help reduce suffering from tobacco-related diseases in the state: significantly increasing the price of tobacco.
In recent years, state lawmakers have been hesitant to take this action despite the proven benefits of reducing tobacco use rates and, therefore, saving lives, lowering the cost of health care and generating much-needed revenue. Improving the health of Georgia citizens, and reducing the financial burden associated with this product, are far more important than cheap tobacco.
Every year, tobacco-related illnesses cost our state $3.18 billion, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, of which $542 million is paid by Georgia taxpayers as part of our Medicaid program. While non-smokers subsidize health care costs of tobacco in the state, Georgia’s tobacco tax of just 37 cents remains the fourth-lowest in the nation.
By increasing the cigarette tax by just $1.23 per pack, Georgia would be much closer to the national average, generate nearly $585 million in new revenue, prevent 76,100 kids from using tobacco, and help an estimated 77,000 Georgians quit. It would save health care dollars and countless lives from tobacco-related diseases.
This move is supported by public health advocates across the state, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society.
Increasing the price of tobacco is a win-win for Georgia. Every state that has raised its cigarette tax rate significantly has received a substantial increase in revenue while reducing overall smoking rates and lowering the percentage of new smokers.
When Georgia increased the cigarette tax in 2003, cigarette tax revenue increased significantly. It has been a predictable and reliable source of revenue. Year to year, state tobacco tax revenues are more predictable and less volatile than many other state revenue sources, such as the state income tax or corporate tax revenues, which can vary considerably because of nationwide recessions or state economic slowdowns.
Furthermore, increasing tobacco taxes can help reduce the burden this deadly product poses in low-income communities that are more heavily impacted by tobacco-related illnesses. By reducing the overall number of tobacco consumers, these communities will see reduced tobacco-related health care costs, and less suffering and death from diseases like cancer.
Georgia lawmakers have a responsibility to protect the individuals they represent. That includes protecting our young people from a product as deadly as tobacco, and taking steps to encourage those already addicted to quit. With such a simple solution at their fingertips, this should be a priority in our state.
With the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquartered in Georgia — both working to reduce tobacco-related illnesses and death — how can our lawmakers continue to ignore our efforts to deter tobacco use?
Increasing the state tobacco tax is the right move for Georgia. In doing so, our lawmakers can protect our children, reduce long-term health care costs and improve the health of our communities.
Dr. J. Leonard Lichtenfeld is the deputy chief medical officer of the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society.
