Dear Editor,

There are two bills to increase the state cigarette tax by a significant amount before the South Carolina Legislature. These measures represent an important step toward protecting South Carolina’s children and taxpayers from the devastating toll of tobacco.

State Reps. Rex Rice, R-District 26, and Paul Agnew, D-District 11, and their many co-sponsors are making our kids and public health a priority by introducing bills to raise the cigarette tax by 30 cents and 32 cents respectively.

Rice’s bill (H. 4888) also raises the tax by an additional 5 cents for each of the next two years, making the increase 40 cents, and designates 4% of the revenue to youth smoking prevention.

Agnew’s bill (H. 4850), which is co-sponsored by 54 other House members, designates $1.5 million for youth smoking prevention and adds a cost of living increase so that the tax increases automatically at the rate of inflation.

South Carolina’s cigarette tax is currently the lowest in the nation at 7 cents. The national average is 92 cents and rising. The current proposals are a great starting point.

To make the most of this opportunity, we call on South Carolina’s leaders to pass an even higher cigarette tax increase—93 cents—which will bring significant health and revenue benefits to the state and raise the state’s cigarette tax to the national average.

The higher the cigarette tax, the more kids will be prevented from smoking. Studies show that for every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes, youth smoking falls by about 7% and overall cigarette consumption is reduced by about 4%.

In recent years, every state that has significantly increased its cigarette tax has experienced major increases in revenue while reducing cigarette sales.

South Carolina can achieve greater reductions in smoking and even greater health and financial benefits by dedicating a small portion of the new cigarette tax revenue to tobacco prevention.

South Carolina currently spends no state funds on tobacco prevention and cessation. It would take only a small percentage of the new cigarette tax revenue to increase funding for tobacco prevention, leaving plenty for other purposes.

By increasing the cigarette tax, South Carolina can protect its kids from tobacco, save lives and save money.

H. James Gooden

Chairman of the board of directors

American Lung Association, Southeast Region

Dr. G. Fred Worsham

President

American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division

David J. Markiewicz

Executive Vice President

American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate

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