Higher taxes, fewer smokers

Letter to the Editor
Albany Times Union
First published in print: Friday, May 1, 2009

While untaxed cigarette sales are a predictable problem associated with tobacco tax increases ("Smokers dodging tobacco tax," April 26), let's not forget the good that New York's cigarette tax increase will continue to reap.

Studies show that higher cigarette taxes are an effective way to reduce smoking.

It is projected that New York's $1.25 increase will prevent 243,000 children from becoming smokers and will motivate about 140,000 adult smokers to quit.

Even the tobacco companies' internal documents disclosed in the tobacco lawsuits show they know that raising cigarettes prices is a way to prevent smoking.

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition is engaged in activities to decrease youth smoking rates. Visit http://www.SmokeFreeCapital.org.

Theresa Zubretsky
Coordinator
Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition
Albany
tzubretsky@setonhealth.org