Tobacco tax makes sense

I am pleased to see that a coalition of Minnesota health and nonprofit organizations are supporting a $1.50 per pack price increase on tobacco.

We all know the tragic consequences of tobacco use, and a $1.50 price increase would really help reduce the harm that affects us all. A $1.50 per pack increase would raise nearly $400 million in the next two years, it would also encourage 28,100 adult smokers to quit.

Even better, increased tobacco prices have been shown to be the most effective way to discourage kids from starting tobacco use. Rarely does a proposal come along that contains both financial and health benefits to our state. A $1.50 increase on tobacco is the exception and definitely deserves our elected officials attention