Taxing Smokers to Help the Poor

Smoking cigarettes just got a bit more expensive in South Carolina.

Last week, the South Carolina House approved legislation to increase the state’s cigarette tax 50 cents. The tax money is expected to raise about $159 million that will fund health care programs for low-income state residents. The legislation will fund health coverage for about 80,000 parents of child Medicaid beneficiaries and help make coverage affordable for about 30,000 workers through three years under premium assistance.

However, critics say the tax hike is inefficient because Medicaid costs are expected to rise throughout the oncoming years while cigarette smoking rates will decline.

Would an increase in the price of cigarettes get you to quit smoking sooner?  [Medicalnewstoday.com]