| For Immediate Release July 30, 2007 |
Contact: Robyn Lee, 202-296-5469 |
Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund Launches Campaign Opposing Reelection of Senator Tommy Robertson in Mississippi
Washington, DC - The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund today launched an independent television ad and voter contact campaign opposing Senator Tommy Robertson (R-Moss Point) in the primary race for Mississippi State Senate on August 7. As Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Robertson refused to allow a vote on legislation that would have cut Mississippi's highest-in-the-nation grocery tax in half and increased the state's incredibly low cigarette tax.
"Voters deserve to know that Senator Robertson's actions protected Big Tobacco at the expense of Mississippi's families and kids," said William V. Corr, Executive Director of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. "Senator Robertson blocked vital legislation that would have saved Mississippi's hardworking families hundreds of dollars in grocery taxes and helped keep thousands of kids from smoking by increasing the cigarette tax.
"By blocking this legislation, Senator Robertson hit Mississippi families twice in the pocketbook. Families have to pay more both for groceries and for higher health care costs related to tobacco. Voters should know that Senator Robertson was the roadblock to delivering critical health and economic benefits to all Mississippians," Corr said.
Mississippi's seven percent grocery tax is the highest in the nation. Mississippi also has the third-lowest cigarette tax in the country at 18 cents per pack, which is just a fraction of the average state cigarette tax of $ 1.07 per pack. Low cigarette taxes contribute to higher youth smoking rates by making cigarettes more affordable to kids, who are the most price-sensitive customers. While 44 states have increased cigarette taxes since January 1, 2002, Mississippi has not increased its cigarette tax since July 1, 1985.
Higher cigarette taxes are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, especially among kids. Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by about seven percent and overall cigarette consumption by about four percent.
Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Mississippi, claiming more than 4,700 lives each year and costing the state $719 million annually in health care bills, including $264 million in Medicaid payments alone. Government expenditures caused by tobacco amount to a hidden tax of $561 a year on each Mississippi household. Currently, 22.4 percent of Mississippi high school students smoke, and 4,400 more kids become regular smokers every year.