ACS CAN Praises Gov. Murphy for Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase

TRENTON, NJ – February 26, 2020 – Gov. Phil Murphy has delivered his budget message which includes a $1.65 per pack cigarette tax increase. This would boost the state tax to $4.35.

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) New Jersey Government Relations Director Samantha DeAlmeida said:

“We applaud the governor for his inclusion of a $1.65 per pack cigarette tax increase in his fiscal year 2021 proposed budget. It has been 11 years since New Jersey has increased its cigarette tax and this proposal, if passed, will put us on par with states like New York and Connecticut.

“We estimate the proposed $1.65 per pack cigarette tax increase will reduce youth smoking by 17.2% and help 46,300 people who currently smoke to quit. Low-income adults, youth, and pregnant women are especially likely to quit or reduce their smoking with such a tax increase.

“About two-thirds of smokers who quit reported that the increase in price helped them quit or not to start again. Lower smoking rates translate into fewer smoking-related cancers and premature deaths, reduced spending on smoking-related health problems, and more productive workers.

“It’s estimated that if New Jersey raises its cigarette tax to $4.35 that 23,700 youth under 18 will be kept from becoming adult smokers18,700 premature smoking related deaths will be prevented and $103.73 million in revenue will be generated while saving the state $1.44 billion in long term health care cost savings from the declines in adult and youth smoking rates.

“Those are lives worth fighting for. We call on the legislature to protect all New Jerseyans from the predatory tactics of Big Tobacco and a lifetime of addiction by supporting this proposed increase, restricting the sales of all flavored tobacco products and dedicating additional funding to New Jersey’s tobacco control program. Dedicating additional funds of the cigarette tax revenue to tobacco prevention and cessation programs will help amplify the benefits of the tax increase and further reduce suffering and death from tobacco-related disease.”

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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.