Every puff becomes even more expensive
Published on April 6, 2009 3:25 AM
“Friend, keep smoking to save a child.” This is one the most widespread jokes that can be heard everywhere as smokers prepare for April’s Fools Day. On April, 1, smokers are going to be the object of many jokes from the government that decided to hide the holes of the budget by imposing enormous taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The revenue from emptying the smokers’ pockets would go to Children Health Insurance Program. It is expected that almost $32 billion would be collected from the tax increase, which would provide medical insurance to 5 million minors.
Therefore, On April 1, smokers would see the prices for cigarettes jump by 62 cents reaching unbelievable $ 1, 01 for a pack. This is only federal tax, excluding state taxes and excise tax that should be added to the price as well. Other tobacco products would cost more too; the price of a pound of tobacco for rolling would jump by $1.50, cigars and snuff prices would be increased as well.
Despite 91-cen-a-pack state cigarette tax imposed in New Mexico is one of the highest taxes across the US, state authorities plan to make taxes even higher in order to force people give up smoking.
According to statistics by the Department of Health, 17.5 percent of Doña Ana County population smoke.
New Mexico Health Department spokesman said that the number of smokers in the county is much lower than in other New Mexico cities. The main reason for such a small number of smokers is the strict public smoking bans and indoor smoking regulations that contributed to decline in the rate of smokers.
State authorities consider that further price increases would definitely have a huge impact on smokers, with the majority of them coming to the decision of kicking the habit down.
In one of his interviews, New Mexico Governor stated that they impose so enormous cigarette taxes just in order to help people quit smoking, since they simply do not understand how harmful it is for their health.
According to many Public Health officials, cigarette tax increases comprise the most effective smoking-cessation programs. They claim that raising taxes would cause improvements in the health of ex-smokers.
Another benefit of tax increase is that the more cigarettes cost the less young people could afford to buy them and begin smoking.
However, although officials are happy with the fact that every day many smokers are coming to the decision to give up smoking, they are concerned by the fact that if the majority stops smoking they would have no revenue to fund state health programs, among which are Cancer Screening Fund, Trauma Center and several Research Funds.
In order to keep the money coming for the programs many officials support further tax hikes on cigarettes and other tobacco containing products.
However, cigarette manufacturers believe people would not quit because of prise increase, because while puffing on a cigarette they are trying to put all their problems away.
