Recent Testimony on Tobacco Harm Reduction and Taxation
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
January 19, 2022
As legislative sessions start across the country, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Consumer Center has been busy under the direction of Lindsey Stroud. Stroud testified on tobacco harm reduction and taxation of vapor products. In fact, last week, Lindsey Stroud, Director of Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Consumer Center, provided testimony in two states (New Hampshire and Washington). In New Hampshire, Stroud joined the Senate Ways and Means Committee to discuss Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTP) and the importance of recognizing that products exist on a spectrum of harm and that reduced risk products should be subject to less, if any, taxation. In Washington state, Stroud provided the numbers on current tobacco taxation in the state. Rather than burdening former smokers, lawmakers should utilize existing cigarette tax dollars and invest in robust tobacco control programs. Currently Washington state spends only $2.60 of every $100 it receives in cigarette monies on tobacco control.
Full testimony in both states can be found below.