Idaho newspapers reported that the local Assembly is being strongly encouraged by various public health organizations to raise the current state tax on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages in order to cut the budget deficit.

The results of a statewide poll were published, showing that the health groups’ initiative is overwhelmingly backed by Idahoans. The poll, carried out by Moore Information, was published last week, was sponsored by a coalition of public health organizations.

Currently, Idaho has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation, at only 57 cents per pack, whereas the national average is almost $1 higher, at $1.45 per pack. “If we manage to convince the lawmakers to approve a tax increase, it will be a great victory for the public health,” claimed Dr. John Siegbolt, chairman of the association of family physicians. He added that almost 5.000 children and teenagers try smoking every year, and with a $1,50 tax raise that number will be reduced dramatically, as it has been proven that the money factor is very efficient when it comes to teenage smoking.

In addition, public health groups consider that the tax increase would also help collect and additional $52.3 million for Idaho budget, even if tax increase would lead to a decline in tobacco sales.

That money could be directed to Medicaid, which is in crisis currently, and the state could cut the expenses on health care, since the number of smoking related diseases falls – a forecasted $8 million in savings during the first several years, according to Dr. Siegbolt.

Dennis Lake, chairman of Idaho House Tax Committee stated that he backs the increase and could become -sponsor of the legislation. But he said the amount of the increase is to be discussed later, as he is not confident that the amount proposed by the health groups will be favored by the lawmakers.

The poll, which questioned 500 voters across Idaho, and has an error margin of ± 4 percent, discovered that 73 percent are in favor of a $1.50 a pack tax rise to support Medicaid funding and generate funds for smoking-cessation and prevention programs.

Lake believed the results of the poll are correct, as voters indeed could support such measure, but probably not as a means of additional revenue for the state, but as an effective means of reducing the smoking rates across the state, and especially among teenagers.

Among other findings included in the poll results there were the following numbers: 47 percent of Idaho voters think the state is heading into the correct direction, whereas 40 percent think the state is on the wrong way, what was named a “narrowly optimistic” mood.

Other findings include: 71 percent voters favored raising taxes on tobacco and alcohol, while 80 percent strongly opposed increasing income tax or gas tax to reduce budget deficit. And even higher percent was against cutting the funding for education, health care and social programs.

By Sara Norton, Staff Writer. Copyright © 2010 Cigarette-Store.org. All rights reserved.