Increase SC Cigarette Tax - for Healthcare

Issue

The proposed increase in South Carolina's cigarette tax should be dedicated to a healthcare trust fund for Medicaid, SCHIP, and other vital healthcare programs.

Information

South Carolina Statistics: Children and Smoking

Number of children who become new daily smokers each year	6,300
Number of children exposed to secondhand smoke at home	240,000
Number of children in South Carolina who will ultimately die prematurely from smoking	103,000
Number of high-school students that smoke	45,300 (17.8%)
Number of cigarette packs bought or smoked by children each year	10.4 million

• Map showing state cigarette tax rates (pdf)
• Raising cigarette taxes does reduce smoking, especially for youth. Numerous economic studies indicate that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes:
  
  
  • Reduces overall cigarette consumption by 3-5 percent,
  • Reduces the number of young-adult smokers by 3.5 percent
  • Reduces the number of kids who smoke by 6-7 percent.
  Source: Tobacco Free Kids
• Toll of tobacco in South Carolina
• 2008 South Carolina Poll on Cigarette Tax

Objective

Increase South Carolina's cigarette tax per pack and dedicate the funds to a healthcare trust fund.

Cigarette Tax Talking Points (pdf)

Legislative Action Center

Contact Information and Links

Tobacco Free Kids
South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative