Regional Analysis continued...
Region 4: Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida
Progress was made in the southern region. Kentucky raised its cigarette tax from $0.03 (lowest in the country) to $0.30 per pack. The last time Kentucky increased its cigarette tax was 1970. In another historic tax increase, North Carolina raised its tax from $0.05 to $0.30 per pack. The tax will increase by an additional $0.05 per pack on July 1, 2006. South Carolina now has the dishonor of the lowest cigarette tax in the country at $0.07 per pack. Alabama leads the region with a $0.425 cigarette tax.
Georgia joins Florida in prohibiting smoking in most workplaces. The Georgia smokefree air law, the first in a major tobacco-growing state, prohibits smoking in most workplaces, including many restaurants. The Georgia law exempts restaurants and bars that do not allow people under 18 into the establishment and do not employ people less than 18 years of age. The law specifically allows stronger local ordinances.
Mississippi, once again, receives the distinction of being one of the few states in the nation, and the only one in this region, to continue to fully fund its tobacco prevention program above the minimum level recommended by the CDC. Florida advocates have announced their intention to place a ballot measure on the 2006 ballot to restore funding to its successful tobacco prevention program.
Region 4 average cigarette tax: $0.27.
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Kentucky raised its cigarette tax from $0.03 to $0.30 per pack. North Carolina raised its cigarette tax from $0.05 to $0.30 per pack.
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Georgia prohibited smoking in most workplaces, including many restaurants.
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Mississippi continued to fully fund its tobacco prevention program above the minimum level recommended by the CDC.
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Tennessee placed restrictions on sales of tobacco products over the phone, through the mail and over the Internet.
Region 5: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinoise, Wisconsin and Minnesota
The Great Lakes region saw significant progress in tobacco control. Illinois became the first state to pass a stand-alone bill that repeals preemption from its smokefree air law. This historic law will allow all local communities in Illinois to pass smokefree air laws. In addition, both Minnesota and Ohio passed cigarette tax increases bringing their cigarette taxes above $1.00 per pack. Minnesota raised its cigarette tax by $0.75 to $1.23 per pack and Ohio increased its cigarette tax by $0.70 to $1.25 per pack. Michigan continues to have the highest cigarette tax in the region at $2.00 per pack.
In Wisconsin, the governor issued an executive order that prohibits smoking in all state office buildings. In addition, communities throughout Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin passed strong local smokefree air ordinances. In Indiana the percent of population covered by a smokefree ordinance jumped from 6 percent to 20 percent after Marion County (Indianapolis) passed a smokefree air law that covers most worksites. Unfortunately, funding for tobacco prevention programs in this region has been severely cut in recent years. Ohio sustained cuts to its successful tobacco prevention program; funding for the Indiana tobacco prevention program has yet to be restored.
Region 5 average cigarette tax: $1.13.
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Illinois repealed preemption of its smokefree air law. All local communities will now be allowed to pass smokefree air ordinances.
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Minnesota raised its cigarette tax from $0.48 to $1.23 per pack. Ohio raised its cigarette tax from $0.55 to $1.25 per pack.
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Ohio banned the delivery of cigarettes to individual customers.
Region 6: Texas,Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico
The South Central region saw few tobacco control gains at the state level. Arkansas prohibited smoking inside and on the grounds of medical facilities. Oklahoma is reaping the benefits of a cigarette increase that went into effect on January 1, 2005. In the first six months after the cigarette tax increase took effect, more than 30,000 Oklahomans quit smoking.
Arkansas, for the fourth year in a row, has sustained its commitment to public health and has continued to fund its tobacco prevention program above the minimum level recommended by the CDC. Recent tax increases in Arkansas have led to a significant drop in adult per capita cigarette consumption.
Region 6 average cigarette tax: $0.66.
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Arkansas continued to fund its tobacco prevention program above the minimum level recommended by the CDC.
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Oklahoma raised its cigarette tax from $0.23 to $1.03 per pack, the highest in the region.
Regional Analysis continued... |
