New Louisiana Report Finds Significant Benefits to Tobacco Tax Increase - Legislators Should Act Now to Reduce Smoking, Saves Lives, Raise Millions

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Mar 24, 2015, 01:04 ET

NEW ORLEANS, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement of Claudia Rodas, Southern Region Director, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

The new study issued today by the Louisiana Budget Project reports that a higher tobacco tax in Louisiana will deliver significant health and financial benefits to the state. A substantial increase in the tobacco tax will reduce smoking, especially among kids, and save lives and health care dollars – all while bringing in more dollars to the state's coffers. The legislature should raise the tobacco tax significantly and do so this year.

A $1.25-per-pack tobacco tax increase will have major benefits for Louisiana. The report highlights that a $1.25 increase will spur 46,000 Louisianans to quit smoking, keep 36,700 children from becoming smokers in the first place, and prevent 23,700 premature deaths from smoking. It would reduce long-term health care costs by more than $1.5 billion and raise $230 million for the state.

Study after study and a wide range of public health and economic experts continue to pile up evidence and support for increasing tobacco taxes. The move will clearly be a win-win-win for Louisiana's future because it will prevent kids from smoking, save lives and reduce health care costs, while bringing in millions to the state. What are Louisiana's political leaders waiting for?

Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in Louisiana, killing 7,200 of the state's residents and costing $1.9 billion in health care bills each year. Despite this ghastly record, Louisiana's tobacco tax rate remains stuck at 36-cents-a-pack, where it has been mired for more than a decade. By significantly increasing the state tobacco tax, lawmakers can improve both Louisiana's health and economy.

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SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids