Americans for Tax Reform wrote to members of the Florida legislature today, urging them to vote Yes on S 1080 and H 987, common sense proposals that safeguards the state’s revenue base, ensures appropriate transparency over decisions impacting public health, and protects Florida’s businesses and consumers from harmful taxes and unnecessary regulations.
Tim Andrews, ATR’s Director of Consumer Issues, wrote, “It is the fundamental responsibility of state governments to protect their citizens, even when these threats come from local government officials. Acting without the degree of accountability and scrutiny found at the state level, these officials may impose punitive taxes on the most vulnerable in their communities.”
Andrews also noted the importance of protecting state revenues, writing, “This is a matter better addressed at the state, not local, level as restricting the use of e-cigarettes and vapor products would lead to further strains on the state budget due to the healthcare costs incurred by people prevented from using them to quit smoking. Further, local tax increases would lead to an increase in smuggling and the sale of illicit products, adversely affecting state tax collections while increasing criminal activity.”
E-Cigarettes are proven to be 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes and more than twice as effective at helping smokers quit than other nicotine replacement therapies. Andrews concluded the letter by pointing out to lawmakers the lifesaving impacts that S 1080 and H 987 will have, noting that, “According to Georgetown University Medical Center, e-cigarettes could save over 435,000 lives in the Florida if a majority of smokers made the switch from cigarettes to vaping.”
The full letter can be read here. ATR also submitted testimony for committee hearings on S 1080 and H 987. That testimony can be accessed here.