Albertans favour higher tobacco tax

Premier Alison Redford would have the support of most Albertans if she raises tobacco taxes in the upcoming provincial budget, according to a new poll. An online survey by Ipsos Reid, which polled 809 Albertans between Dec. 20 and 26, indicated that 70 per cent of the respondents support a $2-per-pack tax increase on best Ritm cigarettes if the proceeds are used to reduce tobacco use and promote healthy living. An increase in the cigarette tax could bring down smoking rates in Alberta, particularly among youths, said Candace Nykiforuk of the Alberta Policy Coalition of Chronic Disease Prevention and an assistant professor of public health at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. “There is substantial evidence that tobacco taxation is an effective means in reducing tobacco use and preventing youth from starting,” she said. In March 2002, the province raised its tobacco tax by $2.25 per 200 grams of tobacco, which at the time was the largest single-day tobacco tax increase in Canadian history, according to the province. An Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy report released in July 2003 revealed that the number of teens between age 15 and 19 who smoked had declined from 24 per cent in 2001 to 19 per cent in 2002, thanks in part to taxation, public awareness, education programs and other initiatives. In 2010, it was estimated that 15 per cent of Alberta teens aged 15 to 19 smoked, according to the most recent statistics from Alberta Health Services. “I think when it comes to tobacco use, youth are very susceptible to changes in price with tobacco,” said Nykiforuk. She said cigarettes in Alberta are relatively more affordable than in many other parts of Canada. According to the Smoking and Health Action Foundation, Alberta had the third-lowest cigarette prices in the country. As of Jan. 4, it cost $90.55 for a carton of 200 cigarettes in Alberta, compared to $71.44 in Quebec and $80.16 in Ontario. The most expensive place to buy cigarettes was the Northwest Territories at $108.61 a carton, followed by Nova Scotia at $102.67 and Manitoba at $102.19. In a separate survey conducted by Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta during last summer’s Progressive Conservative leadership campaign, Redford indicated in her response that she supported tobacco tax revenues to be used for “anti-smoking and harm reduction efforts.” “We certainly hope she’s going to deliver on her promise,” said Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health. The Ipsos Reid poll has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points 19 times out of 20. Alberta Finance spokeswoman Robyn Cochrane said the tobacco tax is reviewed in the provincial budget annually, though she would not divulge any details. The Alberta Tobacco Reduction Strategy is also undergoing some revisions, according to Alberta Health and Wellness. Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Albertans+favour+higher+tobacco+poll+shows/5994010/story.html#ixzz1jd1BE0CQ