NEWS FLASH

MAP: Cigarette Taxes Across America | The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has released its progress report on state efforts to reduce incidences of cancer. The report concludes that states are passing up “opportunities to control health care costs and expand access to treatment.” For instance, as of July 1, “35 states, the District of Columbia” require 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars. And while these laws “cover nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population,” many states still have loopholes that “allow for smoking in ventilated areas, casinos, bingo parlors, hookah bars, or cigar bars, at certain times of day in some venues, or for certain events.” Taxes on cigarettes — which have been shown to significantly reduce youth smoking — also vary greatly across the nation. New York has the highest tax of $4.35, while Missouri has the lowest at just $0.17. New York City has the highest combined city and state cigarette tax in the country, with a total tax of $4.85 per pack: