Health Organizations: Pritzker’s Proposed Cigarette Tax
Increases A Great First Step

 

[February 21, 2019] 

Today, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced during his address to the General Assembly that he plans to raise the tax for cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

The American Lung Association, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Respiratory Health Association issued the following statement regarding his proposal:

“Thank you to Governor Pritzker for addressing the dangers of tobacco use in his address today. We truly appreciate his willingness to consider tobacco taxes as a source of revenue. There is solid research that significantly increasing these taxes is one of the most-effective ways to reduce both youth and adult tobacco use. This will also come with increased revenue for the state, but the taxes must be high enough to have a meaningful impact on tobacco use rates and disease prevention.

“With an annual Medicaid burden of $1.9 billion from smoking-related illnesses, the state of Illinois should be doing all it can to reduce the toll of tobacco use. Policies like comprehensive smoke-free laws, age of sale restrictions, significant tobacco tax increases and sustained prevention and cessation funding all work together to prevent kids from starting a lifelong addiction and help those who are trying to quit.

“We look forward to working with the administration on this proposal and other efforts to help reduce the death and disease associated with tobacco use in Illinois.”

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About ACS CAN

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.

[Jill Thompson
Manager | Communications | Western Division
American Lung Association]