REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS SUPPORT CIGARETTE USER FEE INCREASE
Poll finds Texans would support politicians who vote for hike

A new statewide poll of Texas Republican primary voters shows that 72.6 percent support a $1 user fee on each pack of cigarettes to help the Texas Legislature solve a $9.9 billion budget shortfall by generating much-needed funds for critical education, healthcare and other human services.  In addition, 60.1 percent of those polled say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate for public office who supported a $1 tobacco user fee.

The poll confirms what three other surveys in the past year have found – Texans across the board, and in some cases even smokers themselves, support a cigarette tax increase and would back elected officials who vote for one.  But this most recent poll is the first to target only those who identify themselves as Republican primary voters.

"Texans Investing in Healthy Families hopes that elected officials, even those who have expressed opposition to raising taxes, will listen to their constituents on this matter,” said Jay McCullough, executive director of TRUST for a Smoke-Free Texas.  “In the face of potentially devastating budget cuts, the poll shows that even conservative voters would give a green light to increasing cigarette use fees.”

In the poll, Republican Texans surveyed found a tobacco user fee far more acceptable than other options for raising additional state revenue, including an expansion of casino gambling (39.9 percent), a 2-cent increase in the state sales tax (36.5 percent) or a state personal income tax (14.1 percent).

Texas’ 41-cent per pack cigarette tax, really a user fee paid only by those who smoke, was last raised in 1990. A $1 per pack increase would generate $1.5 billion in new revenue for the biennium, according to the Comptroller of Public Accounts.

“A cigarette tax increase is a win/win for all Texans,” said Kelly Headrick, director of governmental relations for the American Cancer Society, Texas Division “Higher cigarette costs will both ease the burden on the Texas budget and save lives by discouraging smoking by both adults and youth.  In addition, it will reduce the smoking-related healthcare costs now paid by all Texas taxpayers, most of whom do not smoke.”

The poll was conducted by Todd Smith & Associates, Impact Texas Communications and VoterViews on Wednesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 24.  The margin of error is plus or minus 5 percent at a 95 percent level of confidence.

Members of the Texans Investing in Healthy Families coalition, dedicated to reducing the toll of tobacco in Texas, include the Texas PTA, the American Heart Association – Texas Affiliate, the American Lung Association of Texas, the American Cancer Society – Texas Division, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and TRUST For a Smoke-Free Texas.

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CONTACT: Kirsten Voinis