Cigarettes and Tobacco News

Jul 2, 2006 -- RALEIGH | Smokers in North Carolina, the nation's top tobacco-producing state, will pay the second-highest cigarette tax of any tobacco state when one of several new laws takes effect today.

Other laws will increase penalties for not moving out of the way of emergency vehicles and offer more protections for buyers of manufactured homes.

The cigarette tax, which rose from one of the nation's lowest at 5 cents to 30 cents last year, now rises another nickel per pack. Lawmakers and health advocates who sought the higher tax say hitting a smoker in the pocketbook can help them kick the habit.

"For every 10 percent increase in the price there is a 3 to 5 percent overall decline in consumption," said Amy Barkley, advocacy director for tobacco states with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

The drop in smoking is most significant among pregnant women and youth, which declines about 7 percent for every 10 percent tax increase, she said.

Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of premature death and disease in North Carolina and the nation, leading to more than 14,000 North Carolina adults each year, according to the state Center for Health Statistics.

The national average is 92 cents a pack, and supporters of a higher tax have pushed for a 75 cent jump in North Carolina. Barkley said the 5-cent increase itself won't make much of a difference because tobacco companies often lower prices to offset a low tax increase.

But raising North Carolina's rate to just below tobacco-state leader Georgia (37 cents) shows Tar Heel legislators are acknowledging the health risks of smoking, she said.

"It indicates progress that even in the No. 1 tobacco-producing state, the legislature is willing to raise the tax," she said.

They're also willing to ban smoking in their own workplace. The House on Friday gave final approval to a bill that outlaws smoking in all General Assembly buildings.

Another law that begins Saturday increases penalties on an existing statute for motorists who fail to change lanes or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights.

Penalties will increase from a $25 fine to a $250 fine, plus $100 in court costs.

Motorists also could face misdemeanor charges for causing personal injury or property damage.

"When motorists see a police car, an ambulance or another emergency vehicle, they need to yield the right of way or face criminal penalties," Gov. Mike Easley said in a statement.

Buyers of manufactured homes will get more protections under another law that begins Saturday.

The law requires dealers to establish and maintain escrow or trust accounts for a buyer's deposit and not use the money for upgrades to a property for three days in case a deal falls through.