On a yearly basis there are nearly 480,000 deaths associated with cigarette smoking. This number does not even include those who are affected by secondhand smoke. Over the years several strategies have been implemented to help decrease these numbers, however there is still room for improvement. Direct medical care costs associated with smoking is nearly $170 billion annually (American Heart Association, 2021). There exist several options for reducing the healthcare industry deficit, but I believe once of the most productive options is to add preventative approaches into legislative policies. Smoking can lead to several health issues including lung disease, heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. I have been working in the cardiovascular field for ten years and have seen firsthand what smoking combined with diabetes and hypertension can do to an individual. With the implementation of tougher tobacco and cigarette taxes and some changes to policies, we will surely see a decrease in patients who come to the hospital setting as a direct result of smoking.
Current federal and state legislation focus on raising cigarette and tobacco product taxes. An increase in taxes can be beneficial in helping both adults and teenagers quit or even from starting to smoke as well as help fund prevention programs (American Lung Association, 2020). The last federal tobacco tax increase was in 2009 resulting in a decrease in sales and deaths associated with smoking specifically since that time. While there are federal policies on taxes, states may also impose additional taxes and criteria. In my current home state of Illinois, we currently have the 12th highest cigarette tax at $1.98 per pack with an average cost per pack at $7.56 (Illinois General Assembly). Cigarettes may only be legally purchased by those above the age of 21, limiting access to the younger population. With the higher tax rates, this will cause smoking rates to decrease with younger smokers being more responsive to the higher cigarette prices. They simply will not be able to afford them. In order to see a consistent decrease in smoking and tobacco related hospital admissions, there should be an annual increase in the tax to deter the public from purchasing such harmful products. Economic studies have shown for every 10% increase in the total price of cigarettes, there is a 7% decrease in smoking rates amongst the youth (et al., "Taxation strategies to reduce tobacco use," 2019). Cities across the country need to work with their hospital’s government relations professional to gather information on admissions due to smoking and other tobacco related products. This information can be then used on a local and federal level to propose legislation to support the necessary changes needed.
As tobacco and cigarette taxes have increased many individuals and especially teenagers have turned to other alternatives such as vaping or e-cigarettes. Currently, there exists no federal taxes on vaping or e-cigarettes products (Boesen, 2021). I believe in order to curb the negative effects of the alternative, a tax that is equal to cigarettes and tobacco products should be imposed on vaping and e-cigarettes products as well. With the increase in youth related vaping and e-cigarette use, it is important to adopt similar policies for these substitutes just as in the tobacco products. In late summer of 2019, there was a sharp increase in emergency department visits between the months of August and September of 2019 related to vaping and e-cigarette products. Patients were showing signs of a lung injury due to the ingestion of the contents that were present in e-cigarettes and vaping products (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). It became so prevalent at the time that a name was given for the condition known as e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI).
In addition to raising taxes of all the harmful products, the policies should also include funding for preventative approaches as well as smoking cessation programs. Revenue from increased cigarette and tobacco taxes can help fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs to support both adults and children across the country. A continued investment in these programs over the long term will aid in preventing a great number of illnesses and deaths associated with tobacco use. Additionally, if properly planned and implemented, healthcare cost as a result will save billions of dollars in medical expenses. According to the American Lung Association, only three states are currently funding state tobacco programs in accordance with the CDC. These programs will be very cost effective where if spending a small amount in investing for the program, a larger amount in terms of medical costs will be saved. These programs can also aid in decreasing youth smoking, most of time where it has become a habit due to peer pressure.
Current federal and state legislation focus on raising cigarette and tobacco product taxes. An increase in taxes can be beneficial in helping both adults and teenagers quit or even from starting to smoke as well as help fund prevention programs (American Lung Association, 2020). The last federal tobacco tax increase was in 2009 resulting in a decrease in sales and deaths associated with smoking specifically since that time. While there are federal policies on taxes, states may also impose additional taxes and criteria. In my current home state of Illinois, we currently have the 12th highest cigarette tax at $1.98 per pack with an average cost per pack at $7.56 (Illinois General Assembly). Cigarettes may only be legally purchased by those above the age of 21, limiting access to the younger population. With the higher tax rates, this will cause smoking rates to decrease with younger smokers being more responsive to the higher cigarette prices. They simply will not be able to afford them. In order to see a consistent decrease in smoking and tobacco related hospital admissions, there should be an annual increase in the tax to deter the public from purchasing such harmful products. Economic studies have shown for every 10% increase in the total price of cigarettes, there is a 7% decrease in smoking rates amongst the youth (et al., "Taxation strategies to reduce tobacco use," 2019). Cities across the country need to work with their hospital’s government relations professional to gather information on admissions due to smoking and other tobacco related products. This information can be then used on a local and federal level to propose legislation to support the necessary changes needed.
As tobacco and cigarette taxes have increased many individuals and especially teenagers have turned to other alternatives such as vaping or e-cigarettes. Currently, there exists no federal taxes on vaping or e-cigarettes products (Boesen, 2021). I believe in order to curb the negative effects of the alternative, a tax that is equal to cigarettes and tobacco products should be imposed on vaping and e-cigarettes products as well. With the increase in youth related vaping and e-cigarette use, it is important to adopt similar policies for these substitutes just as in the tobacco products. In late summer of 2019, there was a sharp increase in emergency department visits between the months of August and September of 2019 related to vaping and e-cigarette products. Patients were showing signs of a lung injury due to the ingestion of the contents that were present in e-cigarettes and vaping products (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). It became so prevalent at the time that a name was given for the condition known as e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI).
In addition to raising taxes of all the harmful products, the policies should also include funding for preventative approaches as well as smoking cessation programs. Revenue from increased cigarette and tobacco taxes can help fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs to support both adults and children across the country. A continued investment in these programs over the long term will aid in preventing a great number of illnesses and deaths associated with tobacco use. Additionally, if properly planned and implemented, healthcare cost as a result will save billions of dollars in medical expenses. According to the American Lung Association, only three states are currently funding state tobacco programs in accordance with the CDC. These programs will be very cost effective where if spending a small amount in investing for the program, a larger amount in terms of medical costs will be saved. These programs can also aid in decreasing youth smoking, most of time where it has become a habit due to peer pressure.