Tobacco tax hike urged by Alberta health groups

A coalition of health groups is calling on Alberta's NDP government to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack.

Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta says such an increase in the government's budget later this month would help deter young people from lighting up.

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Dan Holinda, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society in Alberta, said cigarettes are already too affordable in the province and the new increase in the minimum wage will make it even easier for young people to buy tobacco.

"The minimum wage increase should be coupled with a tobacco tax increase to ensure that youth smoking rates don't rise," he said.

"We are not opposed to the increase in the minimum wage but a corresponding tobacco tax increase is needed to ensure that tobacco doesn't become even more affordable."

Student smokers

The coalition estimates such a tax hike on cigarettes and other tobacco products could generate $180 million the government could use for wellness programs.

We would like to see a minimum $1 per pack increase on cigarettes to help reduce youth tobacco use.- Les Hagen, Action on Smoking and Health 

Alberta's minimum wage increased on Thursday to $11.20 per hour from $10.20. The government plans to raise the rate to $15 per hour by 2018.

There are an estimated 39,000 tobacco users in grades 6 to 12 in Alberta, according to the Canadian Youth Smoking, Tobacco and Drug Survey.

Alberta has the ninth lowest tax rate on cigarettes of the provinces and territories.

Leigh Allard, president of the Lung Association of Alberta, said the province has fallen behind when it comes to tobacco taxes.

New programs needed, says advocate

"The Notley government has a huge opportunity to significantly reduce youth smoking with the most powerful weapon available — a tobacco tax increase," she said.

The coalition said it wants Alberta to dedicate $20 million of any new tobacco tax revenue toward programs aimed at reducing youth smoking.

Last March, Alberta's former Progressive Conservative government raised the tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes by 50 cents to $4.50 per pack.

Les Hagen of the group Action on Smoking and Health said there is irrefutable evidence that tax increases reduce youth smoking.

"We would like to see a minimum $1 per pack increase on cigarettes to help reduce youth tobacco use," he said.

Teens react

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman says Alberta's NDP government is looking at all options to reduce tobacco use.

"We are grateful for this advice and take it seriously, but it would be inappropriate to comment on taxation matters before the budget is released this fall," she said in an emailed statement.

But 17-year-old Troy Gunhouse says a tax wouldn't stop him.

"An extra dollar is nothing," he said. "I mean I can go and like sell a cigarette for a dollar and have an extra dollar for a pack — I mean it's not a big deal."

Brianne Fraser, a 17-year-old non -moker, agrees.

"I don't think it will stop anyone from smoking because if they are already addicted they are going to keep buying it," she said.