News Analysis Will Guam Senators Raise Tobacco Taxes Too?
| Will Guam Senators Raise Tobacco Taxes Too? |
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| News Analysis | |||||||||
| Written by Jeff Marchesseault, Guam News Factor Staff Writer | |||||||||
| Monday, 30 November 2009 15:08 | |||||||||
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Entryway Smoking Ban Raises Question
By Jeff Marchesseault GUAM - On Friday Governor Camacho signed into law a measure that bans smoking within 20 feet of public buildings. No doubt, Public Law 30-63 is a step in the right direction for the health and longevity of the people of Guam. Although it probably won't be popular with all public employees at first, the law represents an important shift in attitudes among elected officials about how one person's privilege may impinge on another's rights. It forces people to change their behavior in order to protect nonsmokers and could even result in smokers rethinking how the habit affects their own health. But the real test for lawmakers will come with their stance on a bill aimed at increasing tobacco taxes as a deterrent against smoking and chewing. Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz' Bill 150 seeks to raise taxes on cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. The proposal would raise taxes on cigarettes to $1.50 per pack of 20; on cigars to 30 cents, 33 cents or 37 cents, depending on size; and to $21 per pound of chewing tobacco. Local doctors have called for a steep increase over the proscribed amounts. They know that steep taxes raising the price per pack to $10 does the trick. People quit smoking because they can't afford it. It remains to be seen how far the bill will get. It was introduced on June 15th of this year, and has since been debated and has revealed deep divisions in the Legislature. Proponents of the tax hike say making cigarettes cost-prohibitive will help Guam overcome its high rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and smoking related death. Guam leads the nation in smoking. One in three adults here still smoke. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          
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