An attempt to pass off contraband cigarettes as ladies shoes was uncovered at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said they found 3,360 cartons of cigarettes when they took a closer look at the boxes.
The customs duty and GST payable amounted to almost S$258,000.
A Malaysia-registered lorry had pulled into the checkpoint at 1.40 pm last Thursday with three consignments of ladies shoes and pharmaceutical items.
The duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in 56 boxes that were not labelled.
The 31-year-old Malaysian Chinese driver claimed that he had only started work with the Malaysian transport company about three weeks ago.
He was helped by a co-driver when he collected the consignments from Johor in the morning on March 25.
The 54-year-old Malaysian Indian co-driver claimed that he had worked for the same transport company for a few years.
He was to help deliver the pharmaceutical items to a company at Ubi Ave 1.
A consignment of the ladies shoes was to be sent to a warehouse at Kallang Way while the rest of the shoes were to be delivered to the ports for export.
The two drivers, the cigarettes and the lorry were handed over to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.
понедельник, 29 марта 2010 г.
понедельник, 15 марта 2010 г.
Camel No. 9 cigarette ads appeal to teen girls
A recent marketing campaign for Camel cigarettes appears to have attracted the interest of teen girls, a study shows.
The ads for Camel No. 9 cigarettes — which ran in magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Glamour — were a hit with girls ages 12 to 16, says a study of 1,036 adolescents published online Monday in Pediatrics.
Promotional giveaways for the new brand, which was launched in 2007, included berry-flavored lip balm, cellphone jewelry, purses and wristbands, the study says.
David Howard, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, which makes Camel, says the ads were aimed at adults, noting that 85% of the magazines' readers are over 18. Tobacco companies agreed not to target kids as part of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with state attorneys general. He notes that teen smoking rates have continued to decline since the ads were introduced.
But the ads were clearly noticed by teenagers, says study co-author Cheryl Healton, president of the anti-smoking group the American Legacy Foundation, which interviewed teens about their awareness of cigarette brands.
In 2008, within a year of the ads' debut, 22% of girls listed Camel as their favorite cigarette ad. That's twice the number who listed Camel as their favorite in four earlier interviews taken for the study. That suggests that it was the new campaign — not older Camel products — that captured girls' attention, Healton says.
Being able to remember a tobacco ad shows that kids are taking an interest in cigarettes, says co-author John Pierce of the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California-San Diego. Non-smoking teens who can name a favorite ad are 50% more likely to begin smoking than other kids, the study says.
There was no major change in boys' preferences. Overall, nearly half of girls could name a favorite cigarette ad, suggesting that ads are still reaching children, despite the marketing ban, Pierce says.
Howard says R.J. Reynolds pulled print ads for its cigarettes in 2008.
Ads don't need to include cartoon characters to appeal to young people, says the American Cancer Society's Tom Glynn. In fact, ads that depict smoking as fashionable and grown-up actually make it more attractive to teens, he says. About 80% of smokers take up the habit before age 18.
The ads for Camel No. 9 cigarettes — which ran in magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Glamour — were a hit with girls ages 12 to 16, says a study of 1,036 adolescents published online Monday in Pediatrics.
Promotional giveaways for the new brand, which was launched in 2007, included berry-flavored lip balm, cellphone jewelry, purses and wristbands, the study says.
David Howard, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, which makes Camel, says the ads were aimed at adults, noting that 85% of the magazines' readers are over 18. Tobacco companies agreed not to target kids as part of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with state attorneys general. He notes that teen smoking rates have continued to decline since the ads were introduced.
But the ads were clearly noticed by teenagers, says study co-author Cheryl Healton, president of the anti-smoking group the American Legacy Foundation, which interviewed teens about their awareness of cigarette brands.
In 2008, within a year of the ads' debut, 22% of girls listed Camel as their favorite cigarette ad. That's twice the number who listed Camel as their favorite in four earlier interviews taken for the study. That suggests that it was the new campaign — not older Camel products — that captured girls' attention, Healton says.
Being able to remember a tobacco ad shows that kids are taking an interest in cigarettes, says co-author John Pierce of the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California-San Diego. Non-smoking teens who can name a favorite ad are 50% more likely to begin smoking than other kids, the study says.
There was no major change in boys' preferences. Overall, nearly half of girls could name a favorite cigarette ad, suggesting that ads are still reaching children, despite the marketing ban, Pierce says.
Howard says R.J. Reynolds pulled print ads for its cigarettes in 2008.
Ads don't need to include cartoon characters to appeal to young people, says the American Cancer Society's Tom Glynn. In fact, ads that depict smoking as fashionable and grown-up actually make it more attractive to teens, he says. About 80% of smokers take up the habit before age 18.
вторник, 9 марта 2010 г.
Cigarette tax would save lives and close budget hole
Health care advocates on Monday urged Georgia lawmakers to pass a dollar-a-pack cigarette tax as a way to save lives, reduce teen smoking and partially close an estimated $1 billion hole in the state budget.The state Capitol rally by the Georgia Alliance for Tobacco Prevention kicked off a tug of war between those hoping to increase cigarette taxes and opponents who will hold an anti-tax rally Tuesday.
More than 100 health care professionals and members of the faith community showed up Monday, many of them wearing “Pass the Buck” badges with dollar bills pinned to them.
The proposed tax would raise an estimated $354 million annually and -- proponents say -- decrease the number of smokers.
“Tobacco takes a huge toll in Georgia,” said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society’s national deputy chief medical officer. “Thirty people in our state die every day due to tobacco.”
Lichtenfeld said there are 1.4 million smokers in the state and about 10,500 deaths linked to smoking annually.
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) said during the rally that he is a fiscal conservative, but he said the Legislature should pass HB 39 to help close the budget deficit and bring state cigarette taxes in line with the rest of the nation. He said the state tax in Georgia is 37 cents, compared with a national average of $1.34 per pack.
Stephens took a shot at Americans for Prosperity, the sponsor of Tuesday’s anti-tax rally, saying the group has ties to the tobacco industry.
“They ought to be ashamed,” Stephens said. “I though they were smarter than that.”
A spokesman for Americans for Prosperity said that the Altria company paid for an email Altria sent to adult smokers opposing the cigarette tax, but is not sponsoring Tuesday's rally.
Dr. Douglas Morris, an Emory University medical professor, said smoking damages human health, harms the environment and can lead smokers to other addictive behaviors.
Pamela Perkins, coordinator of the Interfaith Children’s Movement, urged lawmakers to act now on the tax.
“This is the right time to do what is right for the children of Georgia,” she said.
More than 100 health care professionals and members of the faith community showed up Monday, many of them wearing “Pass the Buck” badges with dollar bills pinned to them.
The proposed tax would raise an estimated $354 million annually and -- proponents say -- decrease the number of smokers.
“Tobacco takes a huge toll in Georgia,” said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society’s national deputy chief medical officer. “Thirty people in our state die every day due to tobacco.”
Lichtenfeld said there are 1.4 million smokers in the state and about 10,500 deaths linked to smoking annually.
State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) said during the rally that he is a fiscal conservative, but he said the Legislature should pass HB 39 to help close the budget deficit and bring state cigarette taxes in line with the rest of the nation. He said the state tax in Georgia is 37 cents, compared with a national average of $1.34 per pack.
Stephens took a shot at Americans for Prosperity, the sponsor of Tuesday’s anti-tax rally, saying the group has ties to the tobacco industry.
“They ought to be ashamed,” Stephens said. “I though they were smarter than that.”
A spokesman for Americans for Prosperity said that the Altria company paid for an email Altria sent to adult smokers opposing the cigarette tax, but is not sponsoring Tuesday's rally.
Dr. Douglas Morris, an Emory University medical professor, said smoking damages human health, harms the environment and can lead smokers to other addictive behaviors.
Pamela Perkins, coordinator of the Interfaith Children’s Movement, urged lawmakers to act now on the tax.
“This is the right time to do what is right for the children of Georgia,” she said.
понедельник, 1 марта 2010 г.
Salt Lake County Mayor Corroon repeats call for state cigarette tax hike
Peter Corroon sat at his dining room table holding a pack of Marlboro Light cigarettes, surrounded by his wife, Amy, and their three young children, but he wasn't even thinking about lighting up.
The Salt Lake County mayor, who has his sights set on the Governor's Mansion just around the corner from his home in the Avenues, talked Sunday with his kids about the health risks of smoking while repeating his support for increasing the state cigarette tax.
"Our state has the opportunity to show leadership and common sense," Corroon said. "As governor, I would support Utah families over Big Tobacco."
Under a Senate bill that failed to get out of committee last week, the tax on the pack of cigarettes he was holding would rise from 69.5 cents to $2. An aide said the pack cost $6.08.
Corroon declined to say how much he thinks the tax should be increased, but he said he is more concerned with getting smokers to quit — and encouraging young people not to start — than with finding funds to plug the state's $700 million budget gap.
"This issue is about our health, not about revenue," he said.
The proposed tax hike would raise an estimated $24 million. Gov. Gary Herbert said last week he would consider a veto if it passes.
A recent Deseret News/KSL-TV poll showed that 80 percent of Utahns favor increasing taxes on both tobacco and alcohol, but Corroon said his focus for now is on tobacco.
He showed his children pictures of healthy lungs next to a smoker's lung, prompting reactions of "disgusting," "eww" and "gross."
"This looks like a piece of rotten sidewalk," said his daughter Sophie.
Nationwide, the average state tax on a pack of cigarettes is close to $1.40, and federal tax adds another $1.01.
Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, who sits on the committee that rejected the tax hike, said it would be more likely to pass if the increase is held to 95 cents. That would bring the rate in line with the tax in surrounding states.
The bill's sponsor is Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden.
The Salt Lake County mayor, who has his sights set on the Governor's Mansion just around the corner from his home in the Avenues, talked Sunday with his kids about the health risks of smoking while repeating his support for increasing the state cigarette tax.
"Our state has the opportunity to show leadership and common sense," Corroon said. "As governor, I would support Utah families over Big Tobacco."
Under a Senate bill that failed to get out of committee last week, the tax on the pack of cigarettes he was holding would rise from 69.5 cents to $2. An aide said the pack cost $6.08.
Corroon declined to say how much he thinks the tax should be increased, but he said he is more concerned with getting smokers to quit — and encouraging young people not to start — than with finding funds to plug the state's $700 million budget gap.
"This issue is about our health, not about revenue," he said.
The proposed tax hike would raise an estimated $24 million. Gov. Gary Herbert said last week he would consider a veto if it passes.
A recent Deseret News/KSL-TV poll showed that 80 percent of Utahns favor increasing taxes on both tobacco and alcohol, but Corroon said his focus for now is on tobacco.
He showed his children pictures of healthy lungs next to a smoker's lung, prompting reactions of "disgusting," "eww" and "gross."
"This looks like a piece of rotten sidewalk," said his daughter Sophie.
Nationwide, the average state tax on a pack of cigarettes is close to $1.40, and federal tax adds another $1.01.
Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, who sits on the committee that rejected the tax hike, said it would be more likely to pass if the increase is held to 95 cents. That would bring the rate in line with the tax in surrounding states.
The bill's sponsor is Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden.
понедельник, 22 февраля 2010 г.
Cigarettes too cheap in Hong Kong: group
Health groups in Hong Kong on Monday called for a sharp rise in tobacco duty as a study revealed cigarettes in the city are among the cheapest in the developed world.
Buying 1 000 cigarettes of one brand in Hong Kong costs just 217 US dollars (about R1 673) compared to 409 US dollars in New York and 503 US dollars in London.
Those cigarettes would also cost significantly more in Melbourne (277 US dollars), Singapore (361 US dollars), Paris (361 US dollars) and Dublin (577 US dollars), the survey found.
The study by health groups in Hong Kong was released ahead of Wednesday's budget when financial secretary John Tsang is under pressure to push up the price of cigarettes in the city of 7-million.An open letter to the Hong Kong government signed by health advocates including World Health Organization advisor Judith Mackay says a 10 percent price rise could save thousands of lives.
"There are about 750 000 smokers in Hong Kong," the letter said. "One in two smokers is killed by disease caused by tobacco. Each 10 percent rise in price will prevent at least 18 000 deaths.
"Effective taxation must be 75 to 80 percent of the retail price (of cigarettes) whereas currently in Hong Kong, it is only between 61 and 66 percent."
Smoking in bars and restaurants and many public places in Hong Kong was banned from January 2007 although a powerful lobby group won temporary exemptions to the ban for many venues.
Buying 1 000 cigarettes of one brand in Hong Kong costs just 217 US dollars (about R1 673) compared to 409 US dollars in New York and 503 US dollars in London.
Those cigarettes would also cost significantly more in Melbourne (277 US dollars), Singapore (361 US dollars), Paris (361 US dollars) and Dublin (577 US dollars), the survey found.
The study by health groups in Hong Kong was released ahead of Wednesday's budget when financial secretary John Tsang is under pressure to push up the price of cigarettes in the city of 7-million.An open letter to the Hong Kong government signed by health advocates including World Health Organization advisor Judith Mackay says a 10 percent price rise could save thousands of lives.
"There are about 750 000 smokers in Hong Kong," the letter said. "One in two smokers is killed by disease caused by tobacco. Each 10 percent rise in price will prevent at least 18 000 deaths.
"Effective taxation must be 75 to 80 percent of the retail price (of cigarettes) whereas currently in Hong Kong, it is only between 61 and 66 percent."
Smoking in bars and restaurants and many public places in Hong Kong was banned from January 2007 although a powerful lobby group won temporary exemptions to the ban for many venues.
понедельник, 15 февраля 2010 г.
Creek smokeshops still selling disputed cigarettes
After telling a federal court that it would stop supplying its affiliated smokeshops with controversial cigarettes, the Muscogee Creek Nation is allowing the stores to seek and stock the cigarettes on their own, a World investigation shows.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission seized 77 cases of Seneca brand cigarettes Wednesday, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Tulsa County District Court.
The cigarettes were headed to Riverside Smokeshop in Tulsa and had a value of $103,000 once sold to the public, said Paula Ross, a Tax Commission spokeswoman.
Karen Goodson, the manager of Riverside Smokeshop, said the seizure should ot have occurred.
"It is a sovereignty issue that needs to be decided by the court once and for all," Goodson said.
In January, the Creek Nation temporarily suspended distribution of Seneca brand cigarettes through its wholesale company in Okmulgee pending the outcome of an injunction filed in U.S. Eastern District Court in Muskogee, records show. The suspension also includes King Mountain cigarettes manufactured in Washington state by a tribal entity. Seneca is manufactured in Canada, also by a tribal entity.
The cigarette seizure is part of the state's ongoing pressure to force the Creek Nation to sign a tobacco compact or face further confiscation of unapproved cigarettes, records show. The conflict began in 2005 when the Creek Nation opted out of renewing its compact because of alleged unfair negotiation practices by the state.
Meanwhile, the Indian-based company that sold the cigarettes to the Riverside store said the cigarettes were sold with the knowledge of the Creek Nation.
"It is my hunch that the smokeshop was acting under the licensure of the tribe and with full knowledge of the tribe," said Lance Morgan, CEO of HCI Distribution, an economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe in Nebraska.
Morgan said that the Muscogee Creek nation had a temporary license with HCI, which expired Friday.
Creek Nation spokesman Thompson Gouge said the tribe could not comment on the cigarette seizure or the tribe's suspension on stockpiling Seneca or similar cigarettes.
Tax commission officials contend that Seneca and King Mountain cigarettes are contraband smokes not listed on the state's approved list of cigarette brands sold in Oklahoma. The cigarettes are competing heavily with other discount brands and allegedly bleeding off millions of dollars of tax revenues intended for health initiatives and smoking-cessation programs. The cigarettes are being sold by Creek-affiliated stores without an Oklahoma tax stamp.
Tribal officials contend that they can provide such cigarettes without paying taxes to Oklahoma because the cigarettes are tribal-to-tribal sales that are exempt from state taxation.
Four weeks after the tribe temporarily suspended stocking the cigarettes for its affiliated stores, the World purchased packs of Seneca at three Creek-affiliated stores in Sapulpa, Glenpool and Tulsa. King Mountain cigarettes were not available.
King Mountain officials said they could not comment on the absence of their cigarettes in the Tulsa area.
Two additional stores visited by the World did not sell the cigarettes. In the past, most of the Creek-affiliated stores within the Tulsa area have refused to sell the cigarettes, saying they are "illegal" when asked why they don't sell them.
Meanwhile, area smokeshops appear to be fully complying with a new state law that requires retailers to sell cigarettes that inhibit accidental fires.
Of the cigarettes recently purchased by the World, all of the packs, including contraband brands, had fire-safe paper. The paper involves tiny bands within the paper that act like speed bumps while the cigarette is burning.
Records by the Tulsa Fire Department reveal that cigarettes were the No. 1 heat source for fatality fires in Tulsa during the past seven years.
Between 2001 and 2008, 59 people lost their lives to fires caused by cigarettes or smoking material.
Capt. Jeff Vandolah of the Tulsa Fire Department said it is too early to determine if fire-safe paper is decreasing the number of accidental fires.
The new state law requires cigarettes to be sold with "fire-safe" cigarette paper, which allows the cigarette to extinguish itself if it is left unattended.
The law took effect Jan. 1, 2009, but to delay the law's effect, several area smoke shops reportedly were selling old inventory bought before the law took effect and were allowed to sell old inventory until Jan. 1, 2010.
In October, 10 months after the law took effect, the World bought several packs of discount-brand cigarettes without fire-safe paper at smoke shops. The tribal stores stated the stock was old stock bought before the law took effect.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission seized 77 cases of Seneca brand cigarettes Wednesday, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Tulsa County District Court.
The cigarettes were headed to Riverside Smokeshop in Tulsa and had a value of $103,000 once sold to the public, said Paula Ross, a Tax Commission spokeswoman.
Karen Goodson, the manager of Riverside Smokeshop, said the seizure should ot have occurred.
"It is a sovereignty issue that needs to be decided by the court once and for all," Goodson said.
In January, the Creek Nation temporarily suspended distribution of Seneca brand cigarettes through its wholesale company in Okmulgee pending the outcome of an injunction filed in U.S. Eastern District Court in Muskogee, records show. The suspension also includes King Mountain cigarettes manufactured in Washington state by a tribal entity. Seneca is manufactured in Canada, also by a tribal entity.
The cigarette seizure is part of the state's ongoing pressure to force the Creek Nation to sign a tobacco compact or face further confiscation of unapproved cigarettes, records show. The conflict began in 2005 when the Creek Nation opted out of renewing its compact because of alleged unfair negotiation practices by the state.
Meanwhile, the Indian-based company that sold the cigarettes to the Riverside store said the cigarettes were sold with the knowledge of the Creek Nation.
"It is my hunch that the smokeshop was acting under the licensure of the tribe and with full knowledge of the tribe," said Lance Morgan, CEO of HCI Distribution, an economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe in Nebraska.
Morgan said that the Muscogee Creek nation had a temporary license with HCI, which expired Friday.
Creek Nation spokesman Thompson Gouge said the tribe could not comment on the cigarette seizure or the tribe's suspension on stockpiling Seneca or similar cigarettes.
Tax commission officials contend that Seneca and King Mountain cigarettes are contraband smokes not listed on the state's approved list of cigarette brands sold in Oklahoma. The cigarettes are competing heavily with other discount brands and allegedly bleeding off millions of dollars of tax revenues intended for health initiatives and smoking-cessation programs. The cigarettes are being sold by Creek-affiliated stores without an Oklahoma tax stamp.
Tribal officials contend that they can provide such cigarettes without paying taxes to Oklahoma because the cigarettes are tribal-to-tribal sales that are exempt from state taxation.
Four weeks after the tribe temporarily suspended stocking the cigarettes for its affiliated stores, the World purchased packs of Seneca at three Creek-affiliated stores in Sapulpa, Glenpool and Tulsa. King Mountain cigarettes were not available.
King Mountain officials said they could not comment on the absence of their cigarettes in the Tulsa area.
Two additional stores visited by the World did not sell the cigarettes. In the past, most of the Creek-affiliated stores within the Tulsa area have refused to sell the cigarettes, saying they are "illegal" when asked why they don't sell them.
Meanwhile, area smokeshops appear to be fully complying with a new state law that requires retailers to sell cigarettes that inhibit accidental fires.
Of the cigarettes recently purchased by the World, all of the packs, including contraband brands, had fire-safe paper. The paper involves tiny bands within the paper that act like speed bumps while the cigarette is burning.
Records by the Tulsa Fire Department reveal that cigarettes were the No. 1 heat source for fatality fires in Tulsa during the past seven years.
Between 2001 and 2008, 59 people lost their lives to fires caused by cigarettes or smoking material.
Capt. Jeff Vandolah of the Tulsa Fire Department said it is too early to determine if fire-safe paper is decreasing the number of accidental fires.
The new state law requires cigarettes to be sold with "fire-safe" cigarette paper, which allows the cigarette to extinguish itself if it is left unattended.
The law took effect Jan. 1, 2009, but to delay the law's effect, several area smoke shops reportedly were selling old inventory bought before the law took effect and were allowed to sell old inventory until Jan. 1, 2010.
In October, 10 months after the law took effect, the World bought several packs of discount-brand cigarettes without fire-safe paper at smoke shops. The tribal stores stated the stock was old stock bought before the law took effect.
пятница, 12 февраля 2010 г.
Anti-smoking group says cigarette tax hike would ease state budget woes
A bigger tax on cigarettes could be the answer to South Dakota's budget shortfall, according to a new report.
Released by a coalition of public health organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the report suggests that by raising the cigarette tax by $1 per pack, South Dakota would collect $15.4 million more annually, while at the same time prompting more smokers to quit.
"This report shows that raising tobacco taxes is truly a win-win-win for South Dakota ...," said Matthew L. Meyers, president of Tobacco-Free Kids.
But John Boyd, owner of the Deadwood Tobacco Company in Deadwood, isn't buying the new report.
"Anything times zero is zero," he said.
Boyd said the argument that an increased tax can both raise money for the state and reduce the number of smokers is nonsensical.
"If you reduce the number of smokers, where do you get your money," he said. "If that's your intent to reduce smoking, then you're not getting the taxes."
About 20 percent of South Dakotans smoke, including 24.7 percent of the state's high school students, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. South Dakota's current cigarette tax is $1.53 per pack. The national average is $1.34.
The new report details both the revenue and health benefits of a $1 a pack tax increase, by state.
In South Dakota, the increase would save $145 million in health care costs and save 2,900 residents from premature smoking-related deaths. It would prevent 6,000 kids from becoming smokers and encourage 3,100 adult smokers to give up the habit, according to the report.
A national poll released along with the report found that 67 percent of voters support a $1 tobacco tax over other options, such as an income tax, gasoline or sales tax increase.
Boyd said a national survey doesn't give a fair look at the state.
"If it's a nationwide study; nationwide doesn't have anything to do with South Dakota," he said. "It's a skewed survey."
Boyd believes that another increase in cigarette taxes will only push people to buy their cigarettes in bordering states or online. Either way, it will mean less revenue for the state.
"If they think that it's going to make people quit; then they're going to lose revenue shares," Boyd said. "South Dakota will lose huge revenues."
Released by a coalition of public health organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the report suggests that by raising the cigarette tax by $1 per pack, South Dakota would collect $15.4 million more annually, while at the same time prompting more smokers to quit.
"This report shows that raising tobacco taxes is truly a win-win-win for South Dakota ...," said Matthew L. Meyers, president of Tobacco-Free Kids.
But John Boyd, owner of the Deadwood Tobacco Company in Deadwood, isn't buying the new report.
"Anything times zero is zero," he said.
Boyd said the argument that an increased tax can both raise money for the state and reduce the number of smokers is nonsensical.
"If you reduce the number of smokers, where do you get your money," he said. "If that's your intent to reduce smoking, then you're not getting the taxes."
About 20 percent of South Dakotans smoke, including 24.7 percent of the state's high school students, according to the South Dakota Department of Health. South Dakota's current cigarette tax is $1.53 per pack. The national average is $1.34.
The new report details both the revenue and health benefits of a $1 a pack tax increase, by state.
In South Dakota, the increase would save $145 million in health care costs and save 2,900 residents from premature smoking-related deaths. It would prevent 6,000 kids from becoming smokers and encourage 3,100 adult smokers to give up the habit, according to the report.
A national poll released along with the report found that 67 percent of voters support a $1 tobacco tax over other options, such as an income tax, gasoline or sales tax increase.
Boyd said a national survey doesn't give a fair look at the state.
"If it's a nationwide study; nationwide doesn't have anything to do with South Dakota," he said. "It's a skewed survey."
Boyd believes that another increase in cigarette taxes will only push people to buy their cigarettes in bordering states or online. Either way, it will mean less revenue for the state.
"If they think that it's going to make people quit; then they're going to lose revenue shares," Boyd said. "South Dakota will lose huge revenues."
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