LAWMAKERS IN SANTA FE ARE BEING ASKED TO INCREASE THE TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES BY A DOLLAR-50 PER PACK. LESLEY STEPHENS IS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE NEW MEXICO ALLIED COUNCIL ON TOBACCO. SHE TELLS US INCREASING THE TAX IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WAY TO CUT DOWN ON YOUTH SMOKING. SHE SAYS RAISING THE TAX BY A DOLLAR-50 A PACK WOULD PREVENT MORE THAN 11,200 KIDS FROM STARTING THE HABIT, AND IT WOULD SAVE NEW MEXICO 518 MILLION DOLLARS IN LONG TERM HEALTH CARE COSTS.
HER GROUP ALSO WANTS TO ADD E-CIGARETTES TO THE STATE’S CLEAN INDOOR AIR ACT, WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT THEIR USE IN RESTAURANTS, BARS AND MOST PUBLIC PLACES.
