American Lung Association calls for cigarette tax increase in Nevada

CARSON CITY - The American Lung Association wants state legislators this year to increase the cigarette tax, now 80 cents a pack, as a way to reduce the smoking rate in Nevada.

Amy Beaulieu, director of programs of the American Lung Association in Nevada, also said Tuesday that the state spends none of the $40 million a year it receives as a settlement for tobacco-related illnesses costs on smoking cessation programs. Forty percent of the funds go to pay for the Millennium Scholarship program. The state spends $150,000 from other tax revenue on a smoking cessation program.

She added that the cigarette tax rate in Nevada should be closer to the national rate of $1.45 per pack. A 2010 state study found 21 percent of Nevada adults smoked cigarettes, the ninth-highest rate in the nation. The national average was 18 percent.

But Beaulieu acknowledged the plan to increase the tax has little chance of passing. Gov. Brian Sandoval has pledged to veto tax increase legislation.

"We had two bills last session that didn't get out of committee," she said. "This year the political climate is much the same."

Beaulieu added the adult smoking rate in 1999 in Nevada was 33 percent. It has not changed much in recent years from the 2010 rate of 21 percent.

The American Lung Association gave Nevada F grades in 2012 for tobacco prevention and funding for control and cessation efforts. It graded the state's cigarette tax as a D.

"It's time Nevada removes Big Tobacco's welcome mat," Beaulieu said. "Leaders in Carson City must provide smokers with the support they need to quit and adequately fund programs that help keep our kids off tobacco."

Contact reporter Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.