Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia’s leaders are grappling with difficult budget decisions, but this year they have a unique opportunity to save lives while also generating substantial new revenue.
By bumping up the per pack tax on cigarettes by $1, state leaders can help prevent 79,600 kids in Georgia from becoming addicted adult smokers. Leaders will have a chance to change things so reading that each year 10,500 people in our state suffer premature, smoking-caused deaths will be a thing of the past. What makes the idea even more important is that a bump of $1 will generate an estimated $350 million per year in revenue at a time when the state is spending $537 million of its Medicaid budget on health care for people suffering from smoking-caused illnesses. A statewide voter poll says that more than 70 percent of all Georgians are in favor of the $1 increase. It’s time to make Georgia’s cigarette tax right and bump it up a buck. — Eric L. Bailey Georgia grassroots manager, American Cancer Society South Atlantic Division Sarah Balog Government relations director, American Heart Association, Greater Southeast Affiliate June Deen State director, American Lung Association in GeorgiaMore like this story
- Illinois facing 6 percent tax increase amid budget crisis ( January 12, 2011 )
- SWAN: Tobacco tax increase will improve state's health, bottom line ( March 27, 2010 )
- LETTERS: Tobacco tax hike is the best way to offset Ga. budget shortfall ( March 19, 2010 )
- LETTERS: Tobacco taxes all about money, not improving health ( March 25, 2011 )
- SWAN: Tobacco tax increase will improve state's health, bottom line ( March 27, 2010 )
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