Where does Georgia rank nationwide?

How much do cheap cigarettes cost Georgians every year?

Almost 1 in 5 of Georgia’s high school students are smokers

What can be done to change this trend?

How can you help?

 GEORGIA AND TOBACCO: AN UNHEALTHY ALLIANCE

The American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control Annual Report Card was issued and once again, Georgia has a failing grade in almost every category in the 2009 report.  The dismal grades are attributed to failure to increase Georgia’s cigarette tax, the fifth-lowest in the country; inadequate appropriations of MSA (Master Settlement Agreement) funding for tobacco use prevention programs; and lack of coverage for smoking cessation treatments and services for state workers and Medicaid recipients.  The complete report, including federal and state grades, is available at www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org .

At 37 cents per pack of cigarettes, Georgia’s tax is well below the national average of $1.34.  Georgia’s high lung cancer incidence and mortality rates, along with the fact that currently 1 in every 5 of Georgia’s high school students smoke and 1 in 4 uses tobacco products, is evidence that the State of Georgia can no longer afford cheap tobacco.  A tax increase of $1.00 on cigarettes and adequately funding tobacco use prevention programs to prevent kids from picking up the habit of smoking and helping smokers quit is an obvious winning combination for our state.  Additionally, an increase on tobacco taxes has the potential to generate much needed revenue to our state during these very difficult economic times, preventing further lay-offs or furloughs.

Please take a moment to send a message to Governor Sonny Perdue and your state senator and representative by going to the link below and ask them to raise our cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack.

https://secure3.convio.net/acscan/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4975 .