The Southern Neighbors Collaborative is a partnership of public health organizations in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia focused on bringing the benefits of higher cigarette taxes to southern, tobacco-dependent states.

Why are we joining forces for this important cause?

• Southern states suffer from the highest incidence of youth and adult smoking and yet have the lowest cigarette taxes.

• Higher cigarette taxes are proven to reduce smoking, smoking-caused disease and smoking-caused health care costs.

• Cigarette taxes are an effective and dependable way to raise more revenue to offset budget deficits.

In the last three years, 33 states and the District of Columbia increased their cigarette taxes. It's been proven that increasing the price of cigarettes keeps kids from smoking. Don't let our kids be left behind. If we can get our states to raise their taxes, it will keep thousands of kids from becoming smokers.

Click on your state to take action and send your Governor and legislators a free letter urging them to raise the cigarette tax to help protect our kids.

Highlights

New Independent Study Concludes Southern States Would Raise Millions in New Revenue By Increasing Cigarette Taxes

Copyright © 2003 National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids