Massachusetts - YOUTH - cigars and smokeless tobacco use surpasses cigarettes..

Massachusetts
March 25, 2010 - For the first time in Massachusetts history, the number of youths smoking cigarettes was surpassed by those who smoke cigars or use smokeless tobacco, prompting lawmakers and public health advocate to call for immediate policy changes.

“Smokeless tobacco is really the next wave,” said Rep. Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham), who led legislative efforts to impose a $1-a-pack cigarette tax increase in 2008.
“This is happening because the tobacco industry is sneaky,” said John Auerbach, commissioner of public health, at a rally with Massachusetts high school students Thursday at the Grand Staircase.

According to a new Department of Health (DPH) report, use of smokeless tobacco and cigars among high school students has climbed each year since 2003, reaching 17.6 percent in 2009. Meanwhile, cigarette use among high school students fell to 16 percent in 2009, declining from a peak of 35.7 percent in 1995.

Gov. Deval Patrick proposed in his fiscal 2011 budget extending the state’s cigarette tax to cigars and smokeless tobacco, which he estimate would generate $15 million.

“The new cigarette excise rate passed by the Legislature in 2008 did not apply to these other tobacco products,” according to administration budget documents. “We cannot justify this distinction in view of the important health and revenue benefits.”

Under the governor’s proposal, the funds would be directed to support subsidized health care for low-income residents.

Rep. Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), told attendees of the afternoon event that he started an anti-tobacco club in high school, and he encouraged other students to do the same.

“Big Tobacco has a lot of money. They’ve been creating new imaging and new packaging that almost makes their products look like Tic Tacs,” he said. “It’s a product that causes cancer. It’s a product that rips our families and communities apart. We are here to spread the word ... Big Tobacco will not trick the kids throughout our commonwealth.”

Speaker Robert DeLeo has said the House budget for next fiscal year will not include new taxes.


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Reference: Report: Smokeless tobacco, cigars outpace youth cigarette smoking by State House News Service, Boston Herald.com, 3/24/2010.

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