News Center

Governor Signs Cigarette Tax Increase News

Posted Thursday, May 14, 2009

Mississippi leaders have taken an important step to protect the state’s children from smoking by increasing the cigarette tax to 68 cents.  The Communities for a Clean Bill of Health (CCBH) applauds legislators for enacting a significant cigarette tax increase and the Governor for signing the bill into law. The 50 cent increase will go into effect on Friday, May 15.

A higher cigarette tax is a win-win-win for Mississippi — a health win that will reduce tobacco use and save lives, a financial win that will raise critical new revenue for state programs, and a political win that polls show is popular with voters.

“This is truly an historic day for Mississippi,” said Roy Mitchell of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program. “This cigarette tax increase is an overdue investment that will lead to less smoking by our children and a healthier state.”

For 7 years CCBH, a state-wide coalition of health organizations, has worked to increase Mississippi’s cigarette tax and improve the health of the state. The coalition includes the Mississippi affiliates of AARP, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, the Mississippi Hospital Association, the Mississippi Nurses Association, the March of Dimes, and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi.

“Increasing the cigarette tax is not only a credit to lawmakers but to also to the many volunteers and advocates who have worked on this issue,” said Kimberly Hughes, Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society.

There is clear evidence that increasing the cigarette tax is the most effective way to reduce smoking, especially among children. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by 7 percent and overall cigarette consumption by about 4 percent. Mississippi can expect the 50-cent cigarette tax increase to result in

• 8.5% decrease in youth smoking— 16,000 kids in Mississippi will be kept from becoming addicted adult smokers
• $94 million in revenue in the first full year
• $372.2 million in long-term health savings from adult and youth smoking declines