MEMORANDUM
From: Kiley & Company
Re: Public Support for an Increase In the Massachusetts Cigarette Tax
Date: February, 2008
This memorandum summarizes the key findings from a recent survey of a representative sample of 501 Massachusetts voters. Telephone interviews were conducted during the evening and weekend hours of January 24 through January 27, 2008. On average, interviews required 15 minutes to complete. >>>
TOBACCO TAX INCREASES ARE A RELIABLE SOURCE
OF SUBSTANTIAL NEW STATE REVENUE
The big cigarette companies and their allies often oppose state tobacco tax increases by making the curious claim that tobacco taxes are somehow not reliable sources of state revenue. In fact, state tobacco tax revenues are among the most predictable, steady, and reliable revenues that states receive. >>>
CIGARETTE REVENUES AND SALES IN MASSACHUSETTS
View Graphs >>>
EXPLANATIONS AND SOURCES FOR TFK? PROJECTIONS OF NEW REVENUES & BENEFITS FROM STATE CIGARETTE TAX INCREASES
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (TFK) projections of increased state revenues and other benefits from raising state cigarette tax rates reflect the basic fact that cigarette tax increases both boost state cigarette tax revenues and reduce smoking because the increased tax per pack brings in more new revenue than is lost from the declines in pack sales caused by consumption declines or increased smoker tax avoidance prompted by the price increase. >>>
RAISING THE TOBACCO EXCISE TAX BY $1.00
Economic overview:
- A $1.00 per pack increase in the state's tobacco excise tax would provide a stable revenue stream of more than $154 million annually for health reform and public health programs.
- Smoking-caused costs in Massachusetts per taxed pack sold: $19.49
>>>