To the Editor:
The Mississippi Legislature is currently considering a $1.50 per pack cigarette tax increase. This seems like a great idea on many levels!
We need to do whatever we can to discourage kids from smoking, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and help our struggling economy.
According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, smoking in Mississippi costs $1.23 billion in direct health care costs, including $319.7 million in Medicaid costs. Increasing the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack would reduce youth smoking by $16.9% and generate an estimated $166.8 million in much needed revenue for our State.
t has been proven time and again that more expensive tobacco products will be the incentive tobacco users need to kick the habit – or to never start smoking! I urge our legislators to support the increase and in turn save lives. Please let your legislator hear from you on this important vote!
Mary Al Alford
Volunteer, American Cancer Society
Kosciusko
