EFN

The cost of smoking has gone up in Florida, a jump in the state cigarette tax kicked in at midnight.

It’s the first increase in Florida’s cigarette tax since 1990. Under the $1 increase, Florida’s cigarette tax would move from 46th in the nation, or No. 6 from the bottom, to 22nd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Florida health officials say they spend $1.25 billion on tobacco related illnesses.  They statistics demonstrate that for every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes approximately 7% fewer young people will start smoking which could mean a decrease in future Medicaid costs.

Although the tax-increase is anticipated to promote some smokers to quit, the state anticipates the higher tax will generate approximately $900 million a year to help treat sick smokers. Gov. Charlie Crist signed the bill in May, reversing a pledge not to raise taxes. Crist said at the time he viewed the increase “more as a health issue than . . . a tax issue.”

Smoking kills an approximated 443,000 Americans annually. For each person who dies, 20 more get severe illness. Not all of them are smokers. The yearly cost of treating tobacco-related disease is $96 billion.