103 NORTH MAIN STREET ° BEL AIR, MARYLAND
21014 ° 410.838.9340 ° FAX: 410.838.9330
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 1998
CONTACT: George F. Harrison
410.838.3670/410.838.9340
Rehrmann Unveils Youth Anti-Smoking Plan
Eileen Rehrmann, Democratic Candidate for Governor, today called for an increase in cigarette taxes and taxes on smokeless tobacco as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce the risk of tobacco addiction among Maryland’s children.
"Tobacco is a gateway drug and studies have shown that children who are abusing drugs begin by smoking cigarettes," Rehrmann said. "As governor, I will make sure that is one gate we will close and keep closed."
Rehrmann said her plan is targeted specifically to prevent children from becoming involved with tobacco, which contains the drug nicotine, and it will also provide treatment programs for those who are addicted to tobacco and other drugs.
The Rehrmann plan includes a five-year, phased-in increase in the cigarette excise tax, which is tied to action on the proposed federal cigarette tax. In addition, the plan would impose a tax on the wholesale price of other tobacco products such as cigars and smokeless tobacco.
Maryland has not raised its cigarette excise tax since 1992, when it was raised from 20 cents to the current 36 cents per pack. Rehrmann said: "Maryland ranks 23rd in the nation in terms of cigarette excise tax and is one of only nine states that does not tax smokeless tobacco."
The revenues raised by the proposed tobacco tax would be held in a special trust fund with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and used for educational anti-smoking campaigns that discourage the use of tobacco and provide cancer and other health information. The money would also be used to fund additional drug prevention and treatment services throughout the state. In addition, the plan would include allocating a portion of these funds to Maryland tobacco farmers for crop conversion.
"I expect a decline in the revenues in this fund over time, because I expect my plan to result in a reduction in tobacco use," Rehrmann said. "Because these revenues should decline over time, it is important that programs funded by these sources be successful," Rehrmann said.
"Maryland is 15 percent above the national average in lung cancer deaths, and almost 90 percent of adult smokers began smoking as children. This is totally unacceptable.
Rehrmann said: "We cannot afford to waste any more time with just lip-service to this problem. We must stop children from smoking before they start. As the mother of four children and two grandchildren, I know how important this is."
Part of that action would be to reduce illegal sales of tobacco to minors. According to statistics from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Maryland has a 54.3 percent violation rate of tobacco sales to minors. Currently, the state’s goal is to reduce such sales to 20 percent in 2001.
"As Maryland’s Governor, I plan to reach that goal much sooner," Rehrmann said. "These statistics prove that Maryland needs an aggressive anti-smoking effort."
As Harford County Executive, Rehrmann has been working with the Sheriff’s Office and the State’s Attorney to issue civil citations to minors who use cigarettes. Civil citations most frequently result in the juvenile’s participation in a treatment program.
"A comprehensive program on reduction of juvenile smoking will make an impact on many of our children’s lives," Rehrmann said.
Authority: James E. Haupt III, Treasurer
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