COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers are deciding whether they want to tax cigarettes in the state operating budget, at the request of Gov. Mike DeWine.
While lawmakers weigh their options, advocates like Vince Marchetta are trying to show them that it is a no-brainer.
“If we can prevent one person from having cancer, then we’re making a positive step forward,” Marchetta said. “A higher tax may prevent somebody from buying the product.”
Marchetta is a state lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN). He started the work with the network after losing his wife to cervical cancer in 2019.
“I watched my wife fight like crazy throughout her cancer battle, and I don’t want to see other people do that,” he said.
According to ACSCAN, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ohio and accounts for 35.5% of cancer deaths.
“I’ve watched the devastation that cancer has on a person physically, emotionally, mentally,” Marchetta said. “If we can prevent people from using tobacco, then we can prevent people from having to witness this with their loved ones.”
DeWine proposed that the tax for a pack of cigarettes goes from $1.60 to $3.10 per pack, a $1.50 increase, but the current tax rate has not changed since 2015. The tax money would be used to fund the state’s child tax credit.
But how likely is that to pass the Ohio Statehouse?
Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said he is “generally opposed” to such ideas.
“Primarily because there’s a little bit of a trap that we might fall into if we’re trying to base the pay for future expenses off of cigarette taxes,” he said. “Cigarette taxes historically have been a declining source of revenue for some time. I would expect that if the tax rate goes up even higher, they’ll be even more rapidly declining source of revenue.”
Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said she suspects that there is support within her caucus but is worried about the route the majority might take.
“It will be interesting to see if the support maintains in terms of, for lack of a better word, a ‘sin tax,’” Russo said. “I think that my caucus is not opposed to it necessarily.”
Marchetta is also advocating for $20 million, over two years, for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. He said he wants to see even more.
“I don’t think it goes far enough,” Marchetta said. “I’m glad that the governor proposed an increase from what we previously had, but I really believe that we need more funding. We need to get back into the schools, really educating high school and middle school students as to the dangers of tobacco and the risks of addiction. We also need to fund the cessation process.”
“Very supportive of the efforts to reduce tobacco and smokeless tobacco products, especially among children,” Russo said.
Marchetta said he is staying positive that lawmakers heed these requests as they work on the state budget and said he hopes they understand what it means to him and other anti-cancer advocates.
“I only have my voice, so I’m going to use it loud,” he said.
The budget will be amended with House changes within the next two weeks or so. After that, it will head to the Senate for its consideration, before heading back to DeWine for the final stamp of approval.