February 20, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lynette Maselli
304.357.7809
Lynette.Maselli@wvsenate.gov

TOBACCO TAX INCREASE INTRODUCED

CHARLESTON, W.V. Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall), along with four of
his fellow Democrats, introduced legislation today to increase the states cigarette tax.
West Virginia has the highest adult smoking rate in the country, 44% higher than the national
average, says Kessler. Sadly, West Virginia is one of the only states in the county that hasnt
seen a reduction in smoking rates in over a decade. Evidence shows increasing the tobacco tax
decreases the number of people smoking, especially among adolescents.
Senate Bill 531 (SB 531) would increase the cigarette tax incrementally by a total of $1 per pack,
with a portion of the monies funding substance abuse and workforce development initiatives.
Senator Kessler says at a time when the state is facing a budget shortfall, the tax increase would
provide some much needed relief.
The Governors proposed budget calls for cutting $10 million from the State Infrastructure
Fund, $3 million from primary care centers, $2 million from free health clinics, and $1 million
from other social services such as rape crisis centers, says Kessler. While decreasing illness
and death in West Virginia by reducing the number of smokers would make the increase
worthwhile in its own right, the fact is, it would also help stabilize the state budget. Increasing
the tobacco tax would eliminate the need to borrow one penny from the Rainy Day Fund, and as
Ive said before, you cant cut your way to prosperity.
Bill sponsors include Senators Corey Palumbo (D-Kanawha), Mike Romano (D-Harrison), Ron
Stollings (D-Boone) and John Unger (D-Berkeley.
Senator Kessler also signed on as a co-sponsor to Senate Bill 534. It calls for increasing the
tobacco tax by a total of $1 per pack beginning July 1, 2015. SB 531 has been referred to the
Committee on Finance.