Cigarettes and Tobacco News

Apr 29, 2007 -- As a registered respiratory therapist for the greater part of 40 years who continues to practice my profession in the home care setting, I would like to comment regarding raising the cigarette tax.

Lung xancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Legislators needed to raise the cigarette tax. I recently had the opportunity to meet with Michael Thompson and was able to express my views on the tax/Medicaid Issues. However, I also think that not just the tax on cigarettes, but those on all tobacco products (including chewing tobacco products) should be increased to an amount that is comparable to our bordering states.

While meeting with Rep. Thompson I made the suggestion that a health care fund be set up with monies from the fund should be placed directly into the Medicaid funding account and not into the general funds of the state. All taxes from tobacco and alcoholic beverages be placed in this health care fund.

Another purpose of this fund could be educational processes to inform the citizens on how better to be more aware of wellness programs and preventative measures to reduce the burden on the Medicaid program.

Certainly it is time for our legislators to stand up and take action regarding the issues of all tobacco products with increased taxes as well as a delegated funding to resuscitate the Medicaid crisis in South Carolina.