2010 Legislative Priorities: Protecting Kids and Helping Smokers Quit
Close the loophole on non-cigarette tobacco products
Although the state raised taxes on cigarettes in 2008, it's been nine years since prices on inexpensive kid-friendly other tobacco products (OTP) such as flavored small cigars and smokeless tobacco have been addressed. While cigarette smoking has declined nationally in part because of tax increases, OTP sales have increased rapidly, especially among youth. Closing this loophole will improve public health and the state's bottom line. Read More >>>>
Restore funding to the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Massachusetts; roughly 9,000 residents annually lose their lives to tobacco. The state currently spends $4.5 million - less than half a percent of the nearly $900 million it receives in tobacco revenue - to prevent kids from starting to smoke and help smokers quit. By contrast, the tobacco industry spends nearly $4 million every week in Massachusetts to market its deadly products. Continuous counter-marketing, enforcement, and education are key in combating the issue, and spending some money now will save the state future health and economic costs. Every dollar invested in tobacco control can save $2 to $3 in health care costs. The coalition is working to restore funding for this lifesaving program, which was cut by more than 65% this year.
Include a comprehensive smoking cessation benefit in state-funded health care plans
Low-income populations smoke at a significantly higher rate than the general adult population. Tobacco cessation is more cost-effective than other common, covered disease prevention interventions, such as the treatment of hypertension and high cholesterol. The coalition is working to ensure that members of publicly-subsidized health plans have access to comprehensive smoking cessation services identical to the hugely successful state Medicaid benefit - click here >>>