How can we influence price. We do it by supporting public policies (i.e. excise tax increases) that effectively raise the price of cigarettes and other tobacco products. Economic research shows that price influences consumption – particularly for kids.
We have supported tax increases at the federal and state level through:
Advertising in support of the tax increases
Direct lobbying
Grassroots organizing – letter writing, visits, etc.
In 1997, we saw state excise tax increases in 8 states. In Alaska, the increase was from 29 cents to a full dollar, now the highest cigarette tax in the country.
We’ve also supported the Hatch - Kennedy proposal to increase the federal excise tax to fund health insurance for uninsured kids.