Faith-Based Groups Lobby for Cigarette Tax

A bill that would tack on a one dollar sales tax to every pack of cigarettes sold in Georgia is stuck in committee. But the bill's sponsor says the shrinking state budget might help turn the tide.

For Nurse Jean Holley, the message to lawmakers is simple:

"So do what we elected you to do.... pass the buck."

Holley is with the Georgia Network of Faith Community Nurses. She and other faith-based organizations lobbied at the Capitol for House Bill 39. Supporters say it could bring in more than $350 million a year to the state. And that money, Holley says, could make the future of Georgia a lot healthier.

"Financially, it's a no-brainer," says Holley. "You know we both stop some of the spending that we're doing, we hold on to more cash, and then we get some cash to develop programs that can really make a difference in the long-term health of our country and of our state."

The bill's sponsor, Republican Ron Stephens, says the legislation is stuck in an a House subcommittee. But he remains optimistic. That's because, he says, new cuts to next year's budget could spark lawmakers to look for money wherever they can get it.

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Plan to Hike Tobacco Tax Unveiled

Republican State Representative Ron Stephens spoke Tuesday at the State Capitol on his proposed measure for the upcoming Legislative session, that would BOOST by one-dollar, the tax per-pack on cigarettes in Georgia.

One aim for the bill is to find extra revenue to feed the state’s massive budget shortfall, expected to top two-billion dollars in the fiscal year. Another focus is the health of Georgians--Stephens says more than two-billion dollars is spent yearly in Georgia on tobacco-related illnesses.

"In my mind this is a no-brainer. The healthcare is going to better in the state of Georgia...Georgians will be healthier. We’re going to raise the revenue to plug the short-term shortfall in our budget, and in the long-term were going to save the taxpayer dollars…lots of dollars."

The Republican from Savannah points-out other states are considering hikes in their tobacco tax, which could help his bill’s chances here.

He says Georgia’s tobacco excise tax of 37-cents is one of the lowest in the nation--about 80-cents lower than the national average. Stephens projects a one-dollar tax hike in Georgia could bring-in 350-million dollars or more.

As far as how to sell this tax-hike plan to fellow Republicans, Stephens says this:

"It comes down to that real question of 'is it really a tax?’, and how do you sell that to somebody like myself that’s absolutely opposed to taxes and tax increases."

Stephens says this should be seen not as a tax increase, but as a tax savings.

Stephens’ effort is backed by a coalition of groups, businesses, and healthcare professionals.