Cigarette tax hike draws fire

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids describes a $1 tax increase on cigarettes as a win-win-win scenario - a win for states' budgets, a win for health care and a political win.

According to a recent news release, raising West Virginia's tax on cigarettes by $1 from the current 55 cents would generate an additional $117.6 million annually, "keep 19,100 kids from becoming addicted smokers" and save about $475 million in health care costs over the short and long term.

While a national poll found 67 percent of voters of all stripes support a $1 tobacco tax increase, according to Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, West Virginia legislators from the tri-county are split on the proposal.

The Journal surveyed via e-mail the eight state delegates and four state senators representing Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties. Of those who responded, five opposed the tax increase and three did not.

The Journal asked, "What do you think about raising the tax on cigarettes by $1, and do you think such a proposal would have any chance of passage in the West Virginia Legislature?"

Delegate Jonathan Miller, R-Berkeley, wrote:

"Raising the tobacco tax harms the poor. It is a tax increase on poor people, and during this recession, we definitely shouldn't be raising taxes on the poor.

"Poor people addicted to tobacco don't need to be punished for their addiction, and especially not during this recession.

"West Virginia state government collects plenty of tax money from its citizens. We don't need to collect any more money from our citizens, and we definitely don't need to soak the poor any more. Instead of raising taxes on poor people, we should spend our money wisely.

"If we want to spend taxpayer money in an attempt to reduce tobacco use, we should find a way to pay for that with the amount of money we have now, not raise taxes on the poor.

"Lastly, some will claim raising the tobacco tax is a way to stop people from smoking. Trying to stop people from using tobacco is not the purpose of government taxing its citizens. Government taxes people to pay for government services, not to coerce them to engage or not to engage in a particular activity. It is morally wrong for the government to use the force of taxation to manipulate people's behavior."

Delegate Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, responded:

"I applaud and support efforts to stop or discourage teen smoking. However, I have zero interest in voting for any tax or fee increase of any kind. Our economic times are tough for smokers and non-smokers alike. Government can and should be ran more efficiently rather than increase any tax burdens on consumers or business.

"Actually, I would entertain one exception, and that's to eliminate the food tax by increasing the tobacco tax. West Virginia smokers would actually see their additional tax returned via their savings when purchasing food. And, I'll admit that I'm not completely sold on this idea, but it's worthy of careful consideration.

"Also, it's always been my understanding that a $1 increase would generate $80 million in West Virginia, not $117 million. The food tax generates $25 million for every 1 percent of tax ($75 million). New Jersey thought tobacco tax revenues would increase but ended up with a loss of $30 million.

"Basically, when our state government stops wasting taxpayers' dollars on programs like prevailing wage, then and only then will I support any tax or fee increases to balance our state's budget."

Delegate Daryl Cowles, R-Morgan, replied:

"I do NOT support a tax increase on cigarettes in West Virginia at this time.

"It might be important to note the attorney general of West Virginia, Darrell McGraw, won a huge settlement from tobacco companies - an amount in excess of $800 million.

"This money was to be spent on prevention, education, cessation, health care costs of smokers, etc. over a 29-year period.

"The money was cashed-out by the Legislature for 50 cents on the dollar by selling bonds with the immediate proceeds used for bailing out retirement funds, teacher pensions and other unrelated programs.

"To now further tax smokers - after misappropriating their settlement award, granted on their behalf and due to their suffering - is simply not proper.

"The irony of the Legislature complaining about Darrell McGraw not sending other settlement monies to the Legislature for appropriation is interesting. But that is a story for another day."

Delegate John Overington, R-Berkeley, said:

"I would be opposed to the $1 cigarette tax increase unless there would be an equal or greater reduction elsewhere, such as a food tax reduction. We are increasing the penalty for selling to and possessing cigarettes for minors."

Delegate Walter Duke, R-Berkeley, responded in part:

"I do not think West Virginia could afford to raise the cigarette tax by an additional $1. I do not think it is good fiscal policy to link revenue with efforts to reduce the activity which brings in the revenue in the first place. It seems you would be working at cross purposes.

"I do support efforts (even spending of tax dollars) to get people to never start smoking and to get people to quit smoking."

In her response, Delegate Tiffany Lawrence, D-Jefferson, refers to a bill that was introduced Monday (Feb. 15) to ban smoking in the state Capitol, including lawmakers' offices:

"West Virginia has the second highest use of tobacco products in the nation. Due to this alarming statistic, I have long been an advocate of reform. As a member of the House Health and Human Resources Committee, I was a part of the discussion that took place yesterday surrounding this interesting debate. I do believe that this piece of legislation will spur more discussion as we move forth in the final weeks of the legislative session."

Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, replied:

"I'm very much in favor of increasing the tax on tobacco products by at least that amount. Sadly, I think this effort has little chance of success in an election year."

Delegate Terry Walker, D-Jefferson, wrote succinctly, "This would have my support."

Chuck Hamsher, a spokesman for Coalition for a Tobacco-Free West Virginia, said specific poll results for West Virginia are not available, but that national poll results tend to reflect state results, although there are some variations from state to state.

The national survey of 847 registered voters was conducted from Jan. 20 to 24 by International Communications Research and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points, according to the news release.