It passed. Barely. 39-35. I voted yes. Anticipated to bring in $43M in revenue, which will go to:
University of Utah Medical School
Tobacco Cessation programs
Department of Health
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Gold Medal Schools program
Remaining funds will be distributed through the regular appropriations process in place in the legislature
There are many reasons the tobacco tax is a good thing; recouping funds from folks who place a large burden on the health care system, preventing teens from beginning smoking and resulting in many current smokers quitting, and a way to fund some significant programs and serve people with the funds. Not to mention 80% of the public wants this tax passed.
You lost my support Rep. Edwards. It is easy to say, ‘well this tax increase doesn’t affect me’ but the fact of the matter is raising taxes in an economic downturn never solved budget problems or provided long term solutions to the state budget. I understand that the crap sandwich has mustard and lettuce in the form of Gold Medal Schools program & Huntsman Cancer Institute funding, but raising taxes is raising taxes. Rep. Edwards does not stand for principals of fiscal responsibility. I hope every smoker in Utah jumps on the free bus to Wendover and buys their cigarettes over there in bulk.
80% of the public wants this passed because someone else will pay it. It’s still a tax in an economic downturn, and is heaped largely on addicted people who have been unable to quit. In the end the smoking cessation programs are not really funded because they find somewhere else to use the money. I still believe things like diabetes are just as much of a medical issue, and many, many people are overweight. This tax would have been more fair if placed on something like soda. No, I do not smoke.
Unless you yourself have been addicted and tried to quit, and just can’t, or love someone who keeps trying and fails, you cannot possible understand this issue.
This is just not right.
I am very proud of you Rep. Edwards. People that claim this is “still a tax” seem to forget the HUGE burden smokers place on all of us — we are already taxed in that we subsidize their health care costs…which is in the tens of millions in Utah alone. It is entirely fair for smokers to offset the costs and strain they place on the state. And for those who quit smoking because of the tax, they live a healthier life and our shared medical costs go down.
It has been proven time and time again that increasing this tax will encourage those who do smoke to get help with quitting and that the price point gets to high for kids/teens to start. The one comment above I do agree with is the need to fund tobacco prevention and cessation. Nudging people to give up the habit with this tax is a good thing but you also have to provide services to help them. I am glad to see you mention that in your post and hope you will fight to fund these programs.
It is not always easy to do the right thing. So thank you for being bold and taking steps to help those caught in an addiction casue by tobacco comapanies only out to make money and casue health disasters. There is no redeeming qualities in tobacco.
The tax will stop some of those using it today and will keep others from ever starting to become addicted.
Your vote is right and tobacco companies need to hear the people’s voice in your action.
I applaud your effort, this bill seems very win/win or lose/lose and I feel you made the right choice. Most Sen/Reps said they would vote for a tobacco tax if the money went to health. It looks like that is where it will go. I would love to see the little money raised to go back to the health department. I just read the cut funding includes over five thousand women’s prenatal care. Five to six thousand babies being denied care. That is so many, and to think tobacco which contributes to nothing but pollution, waste and health might actually help out. Tobacco is a waste and the higher the price, the more likely to quit then I support a tax increase.
Becky, Thank you for your yes vote on the tobacco tax! It is a win win for the State of Utah. Thank you for all you do for our district. You were really great at the townhall meeting and I appreciate your efforts.
Bottom line: this bill protects health. And it is simply a user fee. I applaud you Rep. Edwards, for all you are doing to put my health ahead of an industry’s profits.
DONT WORRY REP. EDWARDS, YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!
I dont think Aaron and Vicky fully understand the value of this bill.
Vicky, you mentioned that 80% of the public want this passed because someone else will pay it. EVERY HOUSEHOLD in Utah (smoker AND non-smoker) pays over $500 in taxes to pay for governmental smoking-caused expenditures. So currently, I am paying for their habit. This tax is more of a “user fee,” requiring users to pay more for the damage they are causing the state. This bill will allow MY taxes to go to something I actually support, while smokers’ taxes will go to what they support. I dont see how this is an unfair tax.
Because of smokers, the state currently spends $104 million in medicaid. $294 million in smoking-caused productivity losses. Raising the tobacco tax will also get people to stop smoking (5,500 adults, 10,500 kids wont start), which will decrease those losses in the long run, which will help out the economy.
Aaron, why is it that you wont support Representative Edwards for standing up for the health and economy of Utah? Statistically speaking, this is beneficial to the economy (see above). You say you wont vote for her because she “doesnt stand for principles of fiscal responsibility,” yet you are supportive of people leaving the state to buy things, which is fiscally irresponsible as a citizen.
Representative Edwards is a great representative for our district. GO REP EDWARDS!
Rep. Edwards, thanks for voting yes! This is a good bill for health and will go along ways in protecting the health of Utahns especially if the money generated from the tax goes back into paying for the costs incurred by tobacco as well as cessation and prevention effforts. Thanks for voting YES and thanks for all you do.
Now I am going to fire up my giant truck and drive over to Evanston WY, to load up on fireworks and cartons of cigarettes to bring back and chain smoke my $1 less a pack of cigarettes and set off firecrackers in my living room. It is a free county.
Tobacco tax. Congratulations on your yes vote Ms Edwards. You have failed to live up to the standards of a lawmaker. Your are suppose to make laws for all the people. But in this case you did it to make money in a pinch and to get re-elected. Yes its true that other states have higher taxes than Utah. But that is not why we pass laws. As a Utah lawmaker you are required to rise above the simple justifications and find the truth and do whats right for everyone. Not just the popular majority. All i can do is shake my head and take stock in the fact that america is broken and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Good luck with your career in politics. Who are you going to sell out for money next year the Indians?