Texans Investing in Healthy Families
Campaign to raise the cigarette tax 2003 to present

BACKGROUND
In 2003 Jim Arnold & Associates was hired to manage a coalition of non-profits whose goal was to increase the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack to decrease youth smoking. The coalition consisted of the Texas affiliates of American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, the Texas PTA, the national Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

The cigarette tax, currently at .41 per pack, had not been raised since 1990.

CHALLENGE
The challenge was to convince a Republican majority legislature, many of whom had run on a promise of no new taxes, that the cigarette tax was one that the public supported and that they could support without repercussions at the polls.

ACTION PLAN
Jim Arnold & Associates led a team of lobbyists, communications specialists, and grassroots groups, and developed a plan consisting of the following:

• Development of strategy and message
• Analysis and utilization of statewide polling
• Activation of grassroots communication
• Coordination of lobby team
• Coordination of press conferences
• Coordination of public testimony before legislative committees
• Creation, production and distribution of mailings and fact sheets to members of the legislature
• Creation and placement of print and radio advertising
• Coordination of editorial board meetings across the state by coalition board members
• Production of op-ed pieces and letters to the editor for opinion leaders

RESULTS
In 2003 the Texas Legislature included a cigarette tax increase in its plan for school finance reform that failed during both the regular session and one special session. Since that time every bill to reform school finance has included a proposal to raise the cigarette tax. In addition, Texas Tax Reform Commission, appointed by the governor to develop a plan to reform the Texas tax system has included a proposal to raise the cigarette tax by $1.00.

Print and Radio advertising program for cigarette tax increase initiative

 Fat Cat-Tobacco Settlement Securitization Ad (wma format 506kb)

 Win-Win-Cigarette Tax Increase Ad (wma format 485kb)

 Whose Side Are You On?

 Our State, Our Kids, Our Solution

 Have I Got a Deal for you!

Press Releases for cigarette tax increase initiative

 Business Leaders: Cigarette Tax Increase Would Help Texas Companies

 Republican Primary Voters Support Cigarette User Fee Increase

 Coalition: Control Workers' Comp Costs by Raising Cigarette Tax

Op-Eds for cigarette tax increase inititative

 It's Time to Light Up Support for a Cigarette Tax Increase

 How Cigarettes can help Texas

Email Program to Legislators

 THE CIGARETTE USER FEE – Send the Budget Shortfall Up in Smoke

 CIGARETTE TAX – Here’s 10% of your Budget Shortfall

 CIGARETTE TAX – Here’s 10% of your Budget Shortfall

 CIGARETTE TAX – Here’s 10% of your Budget Shortfall

 CIGARETTE TAX – Here’s 15% of your Budget Shortfall