Tobacco Tax Reduces Smoking Rates

Tools

Tobacco Tax Reduces Smoking Rates

By Associated Press

Story Created: Dec 22, 2007 at 6:41 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 22, 2007 at 6:41 PM CST

An increase in the cigarette tax appears to have led to a decrease in the number of smokers in South Dakota.

Last year voters approved a $1 increase in the cigarette tax and sales have since dropped substantially. According to state numbers through Novembersmokers have gone through about 9 million fewer packs than the same 11 month period last year.

Although some smokers may have crossed state borders to buy cigarettes where the tax is less, sales indicate a 20% drop in smoking.

State officials say tobacco revenues have still managed to increase because of the higher taxes.

User Agreement

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KSFY.com. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Friday, Jan 4 at 7:39 AM Carmen wrote ...

Has anyone ever heard of reverse discrimination. Yes smoking can kill but so does obesity/heart disease. As with smoking which can lead to higher taxes due to health care issues, so does obesity, are we going to now put policies at work that you now cannot eat or drink certain foods, where's are rights. The right to make a personal choice whether we smoke or not.

Sunday, Dec 23 at 1:47 PM Stop Taking Freedom wrote ...

If you cheer on taxes, then you're a socialist communist. If you cheer on 'bans' then you're a hater of liberty. Associated Press is so dumb they don't realize that the 20% drop is also because everyone is rolling their own cigarettes.

Saturday, Dec 22 at 9:19 PM Phil wrote ...

I'll bet that a statewide smoking ban would have at least as much of a positive effect on the health of the people of South Dakota. And it would greatly benefit the non smokers who are presently being exposed to second hand smoke.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

KSFY.com and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

Stock Quotes

Flash Poll

Do you agree with the new recommendation that women should wait until they are 21 to get their first pap smear test?

  • Yes
  • No

AP Video