Cigarette tax increase proposals

This legislative session, South Carolina lawmakers will consider increasing the state’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax of 7 cents. Gov. Mark Sanford has proposed raising the tax by 30 cents; however, there are other proposals for a higher increase. The purpose of the increase would be to provide a stable, recurring source of funding for Medicaid.
Some will question the fairness of a cigarette tax hike. The bigger question is why those of us who don’t smoke should have to pay for cigarettes. That’s right! Smoking costs all of us. Consider these facts:

Every pack of cigarettes sold in South Carolina costs you, your family, your employer and your state government $6.52 for medical care and other economic costs attributable to smoking.
The average South Carolina family pays $485 in additional state and federal taxes to pay for healthcare costs related to smoking.
Cigarettes cost South Carolinians more than $850 million a year in extra taxes, higher insurance premiums and higher healthcare costs.

What can you do to help? Let your representative and senator in Columbia know cigarettes are affecting your checkbook and that the burden should rest on those who put their health at risk by smoking.
Self Regional Healthcare is dedicated to a smoke-free environment and does not permit the use of tobacco products in its facilities or on hospital grounds.