State Cigarette Excise Taxes—United States, 2009

April 9, 2010 / Vol. 59 / No. 13

MMWR Introduction

Increasing the price of cigarettes decreases the prevalence of tobacco use, particularly among youth and young adults. A 10% increase in price results in a 4% reduction in tobacco consumption among adults and can have an even greater effect among youth and other price-sensitive populations. A review of CDC data found that in 2009, 14 states and the District of Columbia passed cigarette excise tax increases; however, none of these states invested any of the revenue in state tobacco control programs. The average state cigarette excise tax increase was 52 cents per pack and resulted in a rise in the national average from $1.18 per pack in 2008 to $1.34 per pack in 2009.