Contact:
Jennifer Amundson
612-308-2997
jennifer.amundson@cancer.org
MADISON, Wisc. – May 19, 2017 – The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and 24 other Wisconsin organizations joined together to ask lawmakers to close a tax loophole that allows cigarette-sized cigars, so-called “little cigars,” to be taxed significantly less than traditional cigarettes.
State Rep. Dale Kooyenga recently introduced the Assembly Republicans’ tax package, which includes a proposal to close the loophole and tax little cigars at the same rate as cigarettes. Over the last week, the 25 organizations distributed a memo (attached) urging members of the Joint Committee on Finance to support the proposal.
These little cigars are nearly identical to traditional cigarettes, except they are wrapped in brown paper. They contain the same cancer-causing substances, are sold in packs of 20 and have a filter. The tax loophole means a pack of 20 little cigars may be purchased for as low as $1.99, with an average tax of just 78 cents. Meanwhile, a pack of 20 cigarettes costs more than $7, with a tax $2.52.
“The diversity of these organizations shows broad support for this initiative,” said Sara Sahli, ACS CAN Wisconsin government relations director. “This is such a common-sense solution. We know that price is a big factor for new users and particularly children.”
The organizations that signed on to the memo supporting the proposal are:
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Family Children’s Hospital
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Anthem
Ascension
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Gunderson Health System
Humana
Marshfield Clinic Health System
Medical College of Wisconsin
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers
SSM Health
UW Health
Wisconsin Allergy Society
Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards
Wisconsin Asthma Coalition
Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Wisconsin Medical Society
Wisconsin Nurses Association
Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association
Wisconsin Public Health Association
Wisconsin Society of Respiratory Care
Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death in Wisconsin. Nearly 8,000 Wisconsinites will lose their lives this year to a tobacco-related illness.
