Why the American Heart Association Supports a Comprehensive Tobacco Tax

Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in our country. It contributes to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and many other serious health conditions. That is why the American Heart Association has long supported policies that help prevent tobacco use, reduce nicotine addiction, and create healthier communities.

As tobacco tax becomes an emerging issue during the upcoming legislative session, many advocates may be asking: Why does the American Heart Association support a comprehensive tobacco tax?

The answer is simple: tobacco taxes work. They help prevent young people from starting, encourage current users to quit, and generate revenue that can be invested in programs that improve public health.

Arizona’s Tobacco Landscape Has Changed

When many tobacco tax laws were originally enacted, cigarettes were the primary product on the market. Today, tobacco companies sell a wide variety of products, including cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping products, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine pouches.

As the marketplace has evolved, the tobacco tax policy should evolve as well.

A comprehensive tobacco tax recognizes that nicotine addiction can come in many forms and that all tobacco and nicotine products should be treated consistently.

What Does the American Heart Association Support?

The American Heart Association supports a comprehensive approach that would:

• Increase Arizona’s cigarette tax by at least $1 per pack.
• Establish a tax on other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, vaping products, nicotine pouches, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
• Set tax rates at similar levels across products so users aren’t encouraged to switch to a cheaper nicotine product instead of quitting

The goal is straightforward: reduce tobacco use, prevent nicotine addiction, and improve health outcomes for Arizonans.

Protecting Kids and Preventing Addiction

One of the primary reasons the American Heart Association supports tobacco tax increases is their impact on youth.

Young people are particularly sensitive to price. Research has consistently shown that when tobacco and nicotine products become more expensive, fewer young people begin using them. Higher prices create an additional barrier that helps keep kids from developing a lifelong addiction.

Every young person who never starts using tobacco or nicotine products is one less person at risk for the long-term health consequences associated with addiction.

Supporting Healthier Communities

The American Heart Association’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

Reducing tobacco use is one of the most effective ways to improve cardiovascular health. Fewer people using tobacco means fewer heart attacks, fewer strokes, fewer tobacco-related illnesses, and healthier families and communities.

That is why comprehensive tobacco taxes are considered one of the most effective public health strategies available.

Investing in Arizona’s Future

A comprehensive tobacco tax can also generate revenue that supports important public programs.

The American Heart Association supports using tobacco tax revenue to help fund priorities such as:

• Arizona’s Medicaid program.
• Tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
• Public health initiatives that improve community health and help people live longer, healthier lives.

When tobacco tax revenue is invested in prevention, cessation, and healthcare programs, communities benefit in multiple ways. Tobacco use declines, health outcomes improve, and critical services receive additional support.

The Bottom Line

The American Heart Association supports a comprehensive tobacco tax because it is a proven strategy to improve health.

A modern tobacco tax would:

• Increase the cigarette tax by at least $1 per pack.
• Tax products such as e-cigarettes, vaping products, and nicotine pouches.
• Help prevent youth nicotine addiction.
• Encourage current tobacco users to quit.
• Generate funding for important healthcare and prevention programs.

As this issue emerges at the Arizona Capitol, the American Heart Association will continue advocating for policies that protect health, prevent addiction, and create a healthier future for all Arizonans.