Florida has been facing budgetary challenges for the past few years. One factor that often goes under-reported is the amount of tax dollars that tobacco users cost Florida each year. Smoking alone costs the state economy $20 billion annually1. Since cigarette sales make up the majority of the state’s tobacco tax income, this site will focus on the cigarette tax.
Increasing the tax will benefit all Floridians. This is not about punishing smokers because of their habit. Smokers have the right to smoke, the same as the Tobacco companies have the right to grow & sell tobacco. By the same token, Floridians have the right not to be forced to subsidize the actions of either group.
Currently Florida has the 5th lowest tobacco tax in the nation2. Compare this to the fact that Florida ranks in the top 10% in the nation in population (4th)3 and Gross State Production (4th)3 and some inequalities become apparent. Add to this the fact that the tobacco tax hasn’t been raised since 1990, not even to keep up with inflation, and it becomes quite clear that it’s time for a change. Senator Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, sponsored a bill (SB 2790) in the spring of ‘08 that would raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack. This would put the tax cost per pack at $1.34 and raise Florida to the 20th highest in the nation–still well below the highest, New Jersey, at $2.57 per pack. This would pump an estimated $1 billion more into Florida’s distressed economy4. The bill got bipartisan support and was endorsed by the Senate Health Policy Committee5, but was shot down due in part to Governor Crist bluntly opposing it.5
Perhaps lobbyists are heard more clearly in Tallahassee than average Floridians. This needs to change! The tax increase should be presented again next session and lawmakers need to know that this is an issue that concerns all Floridians regardless of their age, race, political affiliation, or economic background. Please take a moment to fill out the petition and add your support.
If enough voices unite, they will be heard in Tallahassee!
Currently Florida has the 5th lowest tobacco tax in the nation