Cigarette Tax News Encouraging

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2008)(readMedia)-- Today's media reports of a proposed tobacco excise tax increase in the New York State budget are encouraging, and the American Lung Association of New York State continues to urge the inclusion of this crucial public health measure in the final budget.

The cigarette tax increase will:

-- discourage youth from beginning the deadly habit by making smoking expensive and inconvenient;

-- create an economic incentive for smokers to quit their deadly addiction;

-- increase funding for tobacco control programs, and generate almost $500 million in revenue;

-- return New York State to being the national leader in tobacco taxation.

As the budget negotiations continue, it is imperative that the tobacco tax increase remains at the forefront of the discussions.

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