Cigarette tax benefits go beyond money

Cigarette smoking results in more than 16,000 Illinois deaths per year, with more than 2,000 deaths due to exposure to secondhand smoke. As Illinois considers its decision on a one-dollar per-pack cigarette tax increase, now is the time to take advantage of this public health opportunity to reduce smoking-related death and illness in Illinois, while raising $300 million to offset the state's budget shortfall.

Illinois' cigarette tax currently ranks 32nd among all states. Increasing the tax in other states has proved effective in reducing smoking-related death and illness, with the added benefit of raising revenue for the state. With Illinois' annual smoking-related health care costs estimated at $4.10 billion, and an additional $4.35 billion in lost productivity, a one-dollar tax increase on cigarettes will result in fewer smokers and decreased health care costs.

Specifically, a tax increase will keep cigarettes out of the hands of Illinois children. A one-dollar increase in the tax rate is expected to reduce youth smoking by 12.5 percent, resulting in 104,500 fewer kids in Illinois becoming addicted smokers.

Furthermore, it will result in 51,900 current adult smokers quitting, with savings of $31.5 million over five-years due to reduced smoking-related heart attacks and strokes.

Illinois voters recognize the importance of this measure, with recent polls showing 74 percent in favor of raising the tax. The evidence is clear: Increased cigarette taxes save lives. It is time for Illinois to take this important action to reduce cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Dr. Manual P.A. Claudio

Inverness

Former Board Chair, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago