The 100 percent increase in taxes on all tobacco products as proposed recently in the State legislature (LD 1423) doubles down on Maine’s regressive and all-inclusive tobacco tax structure, puts fuel on the State’s already flourishing illicit tobacco trade, and, perhaps most importantly, ignores the science on true tobacco harm reduction. The bill ostensibly seeks to decrease adult cigarette smoking and increase funding for tobacco control and heath disparities research. Unfortunately, State law mandates that when cigarette taxes are increased, taxes on all other tobacco products, including moist snuff and vapor products – which are substantially safer than cigarettes – must also…
Author: Michael Madden
Michael Madden
Dr. Madden is a family physician and former chief medical officer of a multi-state Medicaid health plan. He's also a consultant with RAI Services Company on issues related to tobacco harm reduction.