Tobacco taxes save lives

In 2014 the Obama administration had a bright idea. They proposed raising the federal tax on tobacco and they planned to use the revenue to increase in early childhood education. 

It was a stroke of genius. On the one hand, by raising the tobacco tax they’d reduce rates of smoking and, as a consequence, smoking related illness and deaths. On the other hand, they’d create funding for an education program known for fostering children to grow into a healthy and prosperous adulthood. 

There is a direct evidence based link between early childhood education and success later in life. There is also irrefutable scientific evidence of the positive connection between higher tobacco taxes, reduced rates of tobacco use, and reduced illness. Frank J. Chaloupka, of the University of Illinois, and his colleagues reported on their review of over 100 studies across the globe in their 2012 study called “Tobacco taxes as a tobacco control strategy.” 

http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/21/2/172.full

Here are their conclusions directly from the report.

“Significant increases in tobacco taxes are a highly effective tobacco control strategy and lead to significant improvements in public health. The positive health impact is even greater when some of the revenues generated by tobacco tax increases are used to support tobacco control, health promotion and/or other health-related activities and programmes. In general, oppositional arguments that higher taxes will have harmful economic effects are false or overstated.”

The Gazelka-Poston-Kresha axis voted to lower or freeze tobacco taxes.

In the face of this evidence many Republican lawmakers in Washington and across the country, including our own Sen. Paul Gazelka and Representatives Ron Kresha and John Poston, still favor lower tobacco taxes.

Here’s what I wrote about the Gazelka-Kresha-Poston axis’ support for lower tobacco taxes in the 2017 Minnesota Legislative session.

The article originally appeared in the Long Prairie Leader.

My dad was dead from a smoking related disease in 1969, the year before Richard Nixon signed a law prohibiting cigarette advertising on radio and TV. Twenty years later my Mom died from cigarette related diseases. She had smoked Camels and had no doubt heard that brand’s trademarked lie, "More doctors smoke Camels”. A few years later I watched my brother’s father-in-law, sucking an oxygen tank, die from cigarette caused emphysema. 

Do you know anyone who is currently suffering from the effects of lung cancer? I do. How about somebody who can’t make it up a flight of stairs because of emphysema caused by cigarettes. I know two people like that and I’ve spent a lifetime watching the suffering caused by cigarettes. As you know the pain spreads out from the afflicted person like a black wave and washes over entire families and communities.

I am forever indebted to Richard Nixon for signing the prohibition against cigarette ads. Imagine how much suffering was prevented by that act. I am forever indebted to US Surgeon General Koop for clearly establishing the link between cancer and tobacco. Koop and Nixon knew what government was for and they stood up to the merchants of death and did what was required of them.

Leonardo Boff, a Brazilian theologian, recently wrote the following: “To govern is not to administer an economy controlled by the market; rather, to govern is to care for the people, for the quality of the people's lives, and the people's high dignity.”

It’s tough to be dignified when you’re sucking on an oxygen tank.

Representative Ron Kresha knows that. Senator Paul Gazelka knows that. Representative John Poston knows that. But they all voted to lower or freeze Minnesota’s tobacco taxes in this year’s legislative session. They did this in the face of solid evidence that higher tobacco taxes help adults quit smoking and keep young people from starting. These three legislators know that smoking cigars and cigarettes causes cancer and that lowering tobacco taxes will cause an increase in smoking by children and adults.

So, why did they vote to increase smoking in Minnesota? I sent them each an email with the following questions:

Did you vote in support of that tax adjustment?

If so, why?

Do you believe the tax cut, especially for cigars, will increase smoking?

Do you believe that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, and other fatal illnesses? 

Here’s what Senator Gazelka, the Majority leader of the Senate,  said.

“Yes, I voted for the bill the Governor signed that included these provisions...and exempted some social security income, gave ag property tax relief, gave young folks with student loans a $500 a year tax credit, bumped local and county government aid, and so much more.”

The Senator didn’t mention smoking — even after a second email request.

Here’s what Rep. Kresha said on June 12th:

“I'll get you a response on the tax question [tomorrow].”

I’m still waiting for that response.

Rep. Poston didn’t respond.

If I understand Sen. Gazelka’s semi-response, he’s saying that a few more cases of cancer are worth a few million dollars in tax cuts and increases in local government aid. Besides, the Governor signed it.

The Senator should study Leonardo Boff.

But, putting aside the kindergarten mentality of blaming the Governor, one must ask; couldn’t you increase local government aid without cutting tobacco taxes? Apparently not in Senator Paul’s mind.

The history of the Minnesota tobacco tax cuts is mysterious. 

Altria, the parent company for Philip Morris, spent nearly $500,000 last year on Minnesota lobbying and organizations and over $125,000 during the first quarter of 2017, according to TwinCities.com and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Other tobacco companies tossed more money into the pot.

That’s a lot of money sloshing around in little old St. Paul.    With our hometown legislators knee deep in nicotine stained dollars as they wrapped up their mad-cap session and special sessions, something funny happened. Senator Roger Chamberlin, from Lino Lakes, explained it for Minnesota Public Radio. Chamberlin is Chairman of the Tax Committee and he told MPR that tobacco taxes weren’t a big deal until the end of the session. Then, during the multiple special sessions, they just appeared.

"Occasionally, as it is with any piece of legislation, any bill, sometimes you have to take something that somebody tells you to take," Chamberlain told MPR. "So, we were instructed to include the tobacco provisions, and that's what we did.”

Well, that’s weird! Just following orders, huh! Who instructed the tax committee to include the tobacco tax break? I sent Sen. Chamberlin an email asking him. I’m still waiting for a response.

Majority Leader Gazelka is a member of the Tax Committee. Maybe he knows?

Did Majority Leader Gazelka order the tobacco tax reduction?

Actually, it’s simple. Tobacco sales are down because of high taxes. The tobacco pushers want to increase sales by lowering taxes. Gazelka, Kresha, and Poston let them have what they desired.

It’s all about the market. These guys measure everything in dollars. But you can’t buy back your dignity when you can’t make it up the stairs. There is no way to purchase your previous quality of life during chemo therapy. So, be happy! Tobacco sales in Minnesota will soon improve.