Tobacco Taxes

Share

Increasing tobacco taxes are proven to be an effective way to prevent children from smoking and help adults quit.  

We are working in states across the country and in Congress to save more lives by passing regular and significant tax increases on all tobacco products. And this doesn't just include cigarettes, but also other dangerous products like smokeless tobacco and cigars. 

State cigarette taxes range from a low of 17 cents per pack in Missouri to a high of $5.35 per pack in New York. Additionally, Puerto Rico taxes cigarettes at $5.10 per pack.

Latest Updates

March 2, 2024
Nebraska

As the new Nebraska government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, I was excited and proud to see Gov. Jim Pillen’s call for a significant increase in Nebraska’s cigarette tax. Data from the American Cancer Society is clear: Meaningful increases in cigarette taxes are one of

December 11, 2023
West Virginia

As the Governor is drafting his budget proposal and lawmakers identify their appropriations priorities as part of the 2024 legislative session, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) calls for increased funding for the state tobacco control program and an increase in the state’s tobacco taxes, to ease the burden of tobacco and cancer in West Virginia.

November 15, 2023
West Virginia

Cancer Advocates Urge West Virginia Lawmakers to Pass Tobacco Prevention Measures on the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout® and National Rural Health Day

November 14, 2023
Indiana

During American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout®, Cancer Patients, Survivors, and Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Pass Tobacco Control Measures to Protect Public Health

Tobacco Taxes Resources

Increasing tobacco excise taxes is one of the best ways to reduce overall tobacco use. It is important that when considering an excise tax increase on any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, that the tax should be increased on all tobacco products at an equivalent rate to encourage people to quit rather than switch to a cheaper product, and prevent youth from starting to use any tobacco product.

 

When faced with mounting evidence that tobacco tax increases effectively reduce tobacco use, tobacco manufacturers will try to distract policymakers from the material facts by invoking dire warnings of reduced revenue due to increased illicit activity including widespread smuggling and other organized crime that they claim will result from increased taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Tobacco use has been found to be one of the primary drivers of cancer-related health disparities because its use disproportionately impacts people based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, mental health, income level, education level, and geographic location. Achieving health equity relies heavily on eliminating tobacco use. ACS CAN is pursuing fact-based tobacco control policies at the local, state and federal levels that aim to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for everyone.