Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Nicole Lukas, director of advocacy and government relations for the American Heart Association.
Throughout this legislative session, Gov. Peter Shumlin has led Vermont’s efforts to become the first state to implement a single-payer health care system. Arguments about the semantics of a true single-payer system aside, I think we can all agree that our goal to expand quality, affordable healthcare to all Vermonters constitutes sound public health policy.
Sadly, the administration’s position on the cigarette tax falls short of sound public health policy. Shumlin continues to ignore established evidence which tells us we will see positive public health impacts (and revenues) if we enact a significant increase. We can’t drive meaningful health care reform — including reining in costs — while opposing one of the single most effective strategies in preventing tobacco use. Vermont spends over $233 million per year in tobacco-related health care costs, $72 million of which are taxpayer-funded Medicaid expenses.
In spite of continued support in the Senate and House for a much higher increase, the Senate passed a 53-cent tax compromise in which the only thing being compromised will be the health of Vermonters, in particular our kids.
Clearly, Shumlin doesn’t get it. He depends on the financial expertise of the Joint Fiscal Office on other policy issues, but he doesn’t believe its revenue projections for a $1 per pack cigarette tax increase are accurate. It makes little fiscal or policy sense to forego $10 million in revenues that will save lives and a projected $82 million in long-term health care dollars in order to protect $3 million in tobacco revenues from New Yorkers. And let’s not forgot how many New Yorkers flow across our border to access Vermont hospitals as well, including smokers suffering from tobacco-caused disease.
Research has shown time and time again that smokers (who aren’t already jumping across the river to buy cigarettes and groceries) may initially cross the border to stock up on cheaper cigarettes, but they will return to their regular, per pack purchasing habits within a few months of the cigarette price jump. And there’s also a reason that the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council, the strongest voice for low income folks supports a high cigarette tax. Not only are their constituents disproportionately affected by chronic diseases caused by smoking, they have the most to gain from kicking the habit.
This IS about tobacco. It’s about Amy from Highgate Springs who had a heart attack at 28. It’s about Mel, a New Yorker who got her stroke care at Fletcher Allen health care. It’s about my Dad, a lifelong smoker who recently survived cancer. But most importantly, it’s about our kids. 3,600 Vermont kids will never start to smoke and 600 teens who quit. Our kids are more important than politics.
