AMCNO participates in rally as tobacco cessation advocates push for tax equalization and no change in smoking ban

Leaders in Ohio’s tobacco prevention and cessation efforts as well as representatives from the AMCNO rallied at the Statehouse last week indicating that the state should equalize tax rates on all types of tobacco products (in particular other tobacco products) and urged rejection of separate legislation that would create exemptions in the state’s smoking ban. The group noted that lawmakers should enact House Bill 572, a bill that would raise taxes on other tobacco products (OTP) such as cigars and smokeless tobacco. 

The AMCNO strongly supports HB 572 and has written to the bill’s sponsor and Northern Ohio legislators voicing our support of the bill. The tax rate change included in the bill would reduce consumption of OTPs by 13% and cut youth users of these products by 25%. The revenues from the additional tax could also restore the funds that were impacted by the closure of the Ohio Tobacco Prevention Foundation.