Dover Youth to Youth teens against lowering tobacco tax rates

A New Hampshire House Bill scheduled to hit the state Senate floor today could lower tobacco tax rates, and area teens are hoping to see it snuffed out.

"I just honestly don't think it's a good idea," said Dover Youth to Youth teen Maddie Retrosi, 15. "This bill would not be a good thing."

The House Bill in question, HB156, has already passed in the House and plans to decrease the tobacco tax from $1.78 per pack of cigarettes to $1.68. It would also decrease the tobacco tax on other tobacco products from 65.03 percent to 48 percent of the product's wholesale price.

Although the bill states it will reduce state revenue, it also estimates it will encourage more sales. The Department of Revenue Administration claims lowering the tobacco tax rate could increase sales by 2.7 percent for cigarettes and about 23.02 percent for other tobacco products — a number Youth to Youth teens said they are afraid to see.

"The higher tax rate has been shown to reduce the rates of tobacco use," said Dover sophomore Krystina Gibbons, 17.

Gibbons and her peers said there seems to be a correlation between teen smoking and the tobacco tax.

"Youth rates are higher when the tax rate is lower," she said, adding she sees many Dover teens taking up smoking when the price is right.

Gibbons, and other teens with Youth to Youth, said it's because teens have a "less expendable budget than adults do."

According to a 2000 U.S. Surgeon General's Report called Reducing Tobacco Use, raising tobacco-product prices decreases the prevalence of tobacco use, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Despite the bill anticipating to ease taxes for state businesses, Youth to Youth teens are hoping their voices are heard. Dover sophomore Kaitlyn Hutchins spoke before the state Senate earlier this month to make sure their beliefs wouldn't be lost in the shuffle.

"Our age group is targeted," she said, adding cigarette advertisements are aimed toward teens.

Hutchins said she hopes the state does not give teens any more incentive to take up smoking.

The proposed bill has already passed the House on a 236-93 vote. The Senate is expected to take up the bill today.