Floridians like idea of hiking cigarette tax by $1
TALLAHASSEE (AP) – Miamian Robert Gonzalez says a $1 tax hike on a pack of cigarettes might just be enough to make him quit smoking after 20 years.
Gonzalez had pulled into a BP service station Thursday when asked about a new poll showing more than 7 of 10 Florida voters support a $1 boost in the cigarette tax to help the state deal with a growing budget deficit.
“Seriously, that would be a great incentive,” the 48-year-old nursery worker said. “I may have said that a lot before, but I think with how things are tight these days, it would be a great reason to finally stop.”
Gonzalez’ wife, Maria, chuckled after hearing her husband’s comment about quitting, adding that he always threatened to stop when the prices go up.
But Gonzalez insisted that this time he’s serious.
“Things are tight these days,” he said. “It would be a great reason to finally stop.”
Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, said after an appearance at Thursday’s annual legislative editors meeting hosted by The Associated Press that increasing the cigarette tax is a good idea.
“I’m comfortable that a cigarette tax is going to be part of the equation that the Senate will bring,” Atwater said about the ongoing scramble to find a way to balance the budget as required by law.
“We’re so far below the national average (cigarette taxes) that I think we have a responsibilty to the people of Florida to look at that rate going up,” Atwater said. “I don’t know where the right number is.”
About 20 percent of adults smoke in Florida, where the state taxes cigarettes at the rate of 33.9 cents a pack, well below the national average of $1.19.
The American Lung Association estimates a dollar hike in the cigarette tax would raise an extra $700 million a year and deter many from starting the habit.
The American Lung Association’s Brenda Olsen said tobacco-related illnesses cost Florida’s Medicaid program more than $1 billion a year.