Raise tobacco tax, apply to Medicaid

The tobacco industry spends nearly $57 million each year in Idaho to addict our children and keep them addicted as adults. In return, the taxpayers of Idaho foot a yearly bill of more than $319 million for smoking-related health care costs. While tax increases are often met with apprehension, if you ensure revenues are spent on health programs and helping current users quit you have our support. Please, legislators, support our kids and not “big tobacco.”

As a taxpayer, I’m footing the bill for Medicaid and frankly, I’m concerned. I’ve seen the reports that Medicaid is looking at a deficit of more than $150 million. At the same time tobacco use is costing Medicaid $83 million a year. Am I the only one who sees a connection? I fully support increasing the tobacco tax and using those dollars for Medicaid because it just plain makes sense. Like the 67 percent mentioned in the recently published poll, I believe this is a fair tax increase because it helps cover the health care costs we all pay through higher taxes and higher insurance premiums caused by tobacco use.

CASEY JO REMY

Sandpoint