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Increase Cigarette Tax To Help Hospitals

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

State legislatures have for years had a habit of increasing "sin taxes" - mostly on liquor and tobacco - to raise revenue. This year will be no different.

Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, has introduced a bill to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1. Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, plans to introduce a similar bill in the state Senate. They believe that increasing the tobacco tax will lessen cigarette smoking, especially among young people. They also see a chance to reduce health care costs for tobacco-related illnesses.

Increasing the cigarette tax is worthy of consideration so long as the money is used to help treat indigent Florida residents with diseases caused by smoking. The legislation should specify - and guarantee - that the money will go to the 40 safety-net hospitals that provide 97 percent of the state's charity care. These hospitals are facing a reduction in funds because of the state's gloomy revenue picture.

The American Lung Association of Florida consistently gives the state an "F" because its cigarette tax is too low. At less than 34 cents a pack, Florida has the seventh-lowest tax in the nation. The amount has not been increased since 1990.

Still, it seems the $1 increase was pulled out of thin air, rather than being based on something concrete.

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have cigarette tax rates of $1 or more. Nine states will soon be at or above $2 per pack. New Jersey leads the country with the highest cigarette tax - $2.57 per pack. Nationwide, the average is $1.11 per pack, up 11 cents from last year.

If increasing the tobacco tax encourages more people to give up cigarettes, it would be worth it. But lawmakers should ensure the money goes to care for patients in hospitals, not up in smoke.

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