Campaign Unavailable

 ACTION ALERT FOR CIGARETTE EXCISE TAXES

Arkansas earned high marks for tobacco control efforts in 2006, according to the American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2006 Report issued today. This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas and serves as a wake up call to each states General Assembly and Governor highlighting their legislative impact on tobacco control.  Arkansas scored grades of "A" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "C" in youth access to tobacco, and a "D" in cigarette excise tax.  Arkansas improved its grade for smokefree air from an "F" in 2005 to an "A" as the result of the Special Legislative Session passage of Act 8 - The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006.  

Policymakers in Arkansas made significant strides with passage of Act 8 to reduce the health impact of tobacco on our citizens but there is more to be done.  Arkansas currently ranks 33rd for its tobacco excise tax rate and the smoking prevalence by Arkansans continues to exceed the national average. Legislative action is needed to reduce these numbers.

Substantial scientific evidence shows that increases in cigarette excise taxes are an effective policy tool in deterring smoking initiation among youth, prompting smoking cessation among adults, and reducing the average cigarette consumption among continuing smokers. Most studies indicate that a 10 percent increase in price will reduce overall cigarette consumption by 3 to 5 percent. In fact, a 10 percent increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes can lead to a 9 to 15 percent decrease in cigarette smoking by adolecents.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health People 2010 guidelines call for state and federal taxes to increase to an average of $2.00 for both cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products by the year 2010.  Arkansas' current cigarette tax rate is $0.59.

Please take a moment to send the attached letter to your senator, representative or governor for a call to action on tobacco excise taxes in Arkansas.