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Proposal in House Would Increase Cigarette Tax to 95 Cents Per Pack

Posted on: Thursday, 9 February 2006, 00:00 CST

By The Associated Press

The House of Delegates has received a proposal that views an increase in West Virginia's cigarette and smokeless tobacco taxes as the best deterrent to keeping teens from using tobacco products.

The measure would increase the state's cigarette tax from 55 cents to 95 cents a pack. Smokeless tobacco would be assessed at the rate of 15 percent of the retail rate, up from the existing 7 percent. House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh, co-sponsored the bill with nine other delegates.

"I see it not as an opportunity to raise taxes, but an opportunity to prevent teenagers from chewing tobacco and smoking," said Delegate Joe Talbott, D-Webster. "That was my intent in being on that bill. I see it as a deterrent."

But some lawmakers see it as just another tax hike - not a health prevention issue.

"From a Republican perspective, we don't need any more revenue in this state government," said Delegate Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson. "We are flush with revenue. We need to be providing some tax cuts and some tax reductions."

Senate Minority Leader Vic Sprouse, R-Kanawha, agreed, saying lawmakers need to look for tax breaks in other areas if the tobacco industry is to be hit. Lawmakers should consider reducing the state's 5 percent food tax or business franchise taxes.

West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states in the nation for youth smoking. It ranks third in the nation for smokeless tobacco use by youth, according to the latest information available by the state Department of Health and Human Resources.

Between 1999 and 2003, the state's teen smoking rate fell from 42.2 percent to 28.5 percent. Smokeless tobacco use fell from 28.6 percent to 23.3 percent during the same period.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted a correlation between tax increases and reductions in the number of youths who smoke.

"It would have a big impact on people under the age of 18 not being able to afford tobacco products," said Delegate Richard Iaquinta, D-Harrison.

Source: Charleston Gazette, The

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