Regional Analysis continued...
Region 7: Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri
This region saw no significant tobacco control policies passed at the state level. However, tobacco control progress varies across the region. Cigarette excise taxes range from a low of $0.17 in Missouri to a high of $0.79 in Kansas. States in this region are regrouping and planning for future tobacco control policy successes. Advocates in Kansas are working to support the governor’s healthy Kansans campaign that proposes a cigarette and tobacco products tax increase. Missouri is preparing a major cigarette tax ballot initiative for fall 2006. Iowa, which came close to passing a tax increase in 2005, will pursue a cigarette tax increase again during the 2006 legislative session.
Region 7 average cigarette tax: $0.49.
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Missouri passed legislation allowing employers to provide or contract for a reduced health insurance benefit premium rate for employees who do not smoke or use tobacco products.
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Kansas doubled its allocation for tobacco control programming from $500,000 to $1 million, to provide additional countywide comprehensive programs.
Region 8: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado
It was another busy legislative session for this region. Colorado implemented a cigarette tax passed by voters in November 2004 and allocated 16 percent of the revenue for tobacco prevention programs. Colorado will now be spending above the minimum level recommended by the CDC for tobacco prevention programs. Wyoming also significantly increased funding for its tobacco prevention program to close to the CDC minimum level.
Both Montana and North Dakota strengthened their smokefree air laws. Montana’s law prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including restaurants. Establishments that make under 40 percent of their sales from food and do not allow persons under 18 to enter are exempt, and local ordinances are preempted until October 1, 2009. North Dakota's smokefree air law prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including restaurants. The law exempts stand-alone bars, and separately enclosed bar areas in restaurants, hotels and bowling alleys.
Region 8 average cigarette tax: $0.80.
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Colorado funded its tobacco prevention program above the minimum level, and Wyoming increased funding for its tobacco prevention program close to the minimum level recommended by the CDC.
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Montana passed a smokefree air bill that prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including restaurants. Bars are exempt and local ordinances are preempted until October 1, 2009.
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North Dakota passed a smokefree air bill that prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including restaurants. Bars and separately enclosed sections of restaurants are exempt.
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Colorado increased its cigarette tax from $0.20 to $0.84 per pack; Montana increased its cigarette tax from $0.70 to $1.70 per pack.
Region 9: California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii
The states of this region have a long history of strong tobacco control laws and 2005 marks the California Tobacco Control Program’s 15th anniversary. California Tobacco Prevention program successes include a decrease in the number of adult smokers from 23 percent to 15 percent and an astounding 14 percent decline in the incidence of lung cancer from 1988 to 1997, accounting for an estimated 11,000 fewer cases of lung cancer.2 California also enacted a bill that will require all cigarettes sold in California to self-extinguish when they are not being smoked.
Currently, California and Hawaii have the strongest smokefree air policies in the region, prohibiting smoking in most workplaces. Nevada moved to strengthen its smokefree air law by prohibiting smoking in most childcare facilities and most video arcades. Arizona and Nevada are preparing for statewide smokefree ballot initiatives in 2006.
Region 9 average cigarette tax: $1.06.
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California will require all cigarettes to self-extinguish when they are not being smoked.
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Nevada prohibited smoking in childcare facilities and in most video arcades.
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Nevada restricted Internet sales of tobacco products.
Region 10: Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska
The Pacific Northwest region saw a few big tobacco control victories this session. Washington led the way with a $0.60 cigarette tax increase, bringing the tax to $2.025 per pack. Washington now leads the region with the highest cigarette tax. Idaho made permanent a $0.29 cigarette tax increase, which leaves its tax at $0.57 per pack, the lowest in the region. On November 8, 2005, voters in Washington approved a ballot initiative prohibiting smoking in almost all public places and workplaces, including restaurants and bars. The initiative was overwhelmingly passed by a 63 percent to 37 percent majority.
Region 10 average cigarette tax: $1.34
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Idaho made permanent its $0.29 cigarette tax increase that passed in 2003.
Alaska increased funding for its tobacco prevention program bringing it closer to the CDC minimum level.
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