URGENT Action Requested: A Budget Solution that also Saves Lives

As our lawmakers work on a solution for the state’s budget crisis and looming government shutdown, some are indicating a willingness to consider a tobacco tax as part of the final budget deal. To encourage this solution, the American Heart Association has placed an advertisement in papers around the state urging Minnesotans to send the ad to lawmakers and show their support for an increased tobacco tax. If you missed the ad, you can see it here: AHA Tobacco Tax Ad.

Follow this link to: Share the ad with your legislators

Despite much progress over the past several years, tobacco use continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Minnesota. More than 5,100 Minnesotans lose their lives to tobacco use each year and smoking costs Minnesotans nearly $3 billion a year in related health care costs.

A tobacco price increase should be part of a broader state budget solution because it:

Protects Kids:
• Raising the price of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to keep kids from using tobacco
• Estimated to save 61,700 Minnesota kids from becoming smokers. That’s about the number of kids currently enrolled in 8th grade in Minnesota!

Protects Minnesotans’ Health:
• Raising the price of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to encourage tobacco users to quit. In fact a $1.50 increase will help more than 28,000 Minnesotans to quit smoking

Generates Revenue for the state budget:
• An increase in the price of tobacco would generate $400 million for the state budget
• One of the public’s preferred methods for helping reach a budget compromise

Follow this link to: Share the ad with your legislators

Thank you for your continued support and immediate action on this very important issue.