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OPINIONS
Editorial: Cigarette tax hike makes sense
West Virginia has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation and one of the lowest cigarette taxes.
State government also is facing a possible budget shortfall of $100 million.
This may be the year the Legislature finally raises the cigarette tax after shying away from the issue for several years.
Currently, the state tax is 55 cents per pack, about 43rd among states across the country. Rhode Island tops the nation with a $3.46 per pack tax.
Most neighboring states charge more as well, including Pennsylvania at $1.60 and Ohio at $1.25. Even Kentucky with its tobacco farming history has a higher tax than West Virginia at 60 cents, although Virginia has a lower tax at 30 cents.
Last year, Gov. Joe Manchin did not propose any general revenue tax increases, including a cigarette tax. But this year, his office indicates he might be more willing to consider it -- with the thought that any increase would go toward health programs.
In addition to filling the funding gap for health programs, a higher cigarette tax should help reduce smoking rates and improve public health in the state.
It may be difficult for some to believe, but an estimated 26-28 percent of adults in West Virginia smoke, among the highest rates in the country, according to various surveys. The national average has been under 20 percent in recent years.
Moreover, West Virginia's rates are 25 percent and above even among young people and pregnant mothers.
So, there is a good argument for raising the tax, even without the projected budget shortfall. Smoking adds to the overall cost of health care, and the public shoulders much of that, no matter how reform legislation is written.
If a higher tax discourages smoking, that is a good thing. Revenues may eventually decline with the higher tax, but for the state's long-term public health, that would be a good thing, too.
