New polling data on proposed cigarette tax

Ohio voters overwhelmingly approve of increasing state tobacco taxes, according to poll results released Thursday by anti-tobacco advocates (Source: “7 in 10 Ohioans support cigarette tax hike, poll says,” Cleveland.com, March 19, 2015).

The survey found 69 percent of Ohio voters support increasing the cigarette tax by $1 per pack and 76 percent favor increasing taxes on cigars and other tobacco products to the same rates as cigarettes. Support remained high across political parties, age groups, education and income levels.

Also this week, Ohio businesses released a poll showing an increased cigarette tax would cause Ohio merchants to lose business and possibly eliminate jobs.  Retailers have said customers will drive across state lines or turn to the Internet to buy products at lower prices. The Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Ohio Grocers Association, Ohio Wholesale Marketers Association and Ohio Petroleum and Convenience Story Association sent the survey results to state lawmakers on Monday (Source: “Retailers warn cigarette tax hike could cause layoffs,” Cleveland.com, March 18, 2015).