Cigarette tax eyed as deterrent, budget tool

Wednesday, April 10, 2002

A coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to reducing youth smoking in Illinois is calling for a major tax increase on cigarettes.

The Illinois Children's Initiative wants a 75-cent-a-pack increase in the state tax on cigarettes. The increase would result in a total state tax of $1.33 per pack, the third-highest in the country behind New York and Connecticut.

The coalition estimates that a 75-cent increase would reduce youth smokers by 13.7 percent simply by making cigarettes too expensive for many youngsters. In Illinois, 33,900 teenagers become regular smokers each year.

The coalition includes groups such as the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Illinois Hospital Association and the Illinois State Medical Society. Some of the coalition's members have been calling for this tax increase for years; others have joined the campaign this year because of the state's budget problems. The deficit projection is approaching $1.5 billion and growing.

The coalition's experts project that a 75-cent tax hike would raise $538 million in new state revenue. That figure reflects the expected reduction in the number of smokers. The coalition is calling on the Legislature to spend the money on unspecified health and human services programs. Coalition members want to cut teen smoking; the potential budget benefits are a side issue.

We certainly support both the goal and the potential result. Reducing teen smoking is a noble goal; raising money to help save worthwhile programs from the budget ax is a major advantage.

Seventy-five cents might be a bit high, but the proposal makes sense. The budget details are still evolving, but a higher tax on cigarettes deserves legislative support.