CDC March 30 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

State Cigarette Excise Taxes — United States, 2010–2011

Increasing the price of cigarettes is one of the most reliable and effective ways to reduce smoking and prevent youth initiation.

A newly published report by CDC found that in 2010 and 2011, eight states increased and one state decreased their cigarette excise tax. This is a noteworthy change from the last CDC report on this topic, when in 2009, 15 states increased their cigarette excise tax. The national average cigarette excise tax increased from $1.34 per pack in 2009 to $1.46 per pack in 2011. At the end of 2011 excise tax rates ranged from $0.17 per pack in Missouri to $4.35 per pack in New York. The evidence indicates that further increases in cigarette excise taxes would continue to reduce the demand for cigarettes, thereby preventing youth initiation, reducing cigarette consumption, and decreasing the prevalence of smoking, particularly among youth and young adults. States can reduce cigarette use even further by investing excise tax revenue in tobacco prevention and control.

PDF of the March 30 MMWR; MMWR Highlights

The online version of the journal is available on the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.

Source: CDC/Office on Smoking and Health