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SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW CIGARETTE TAX BILL
February 26, 2002

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Legislation sponsored by Senator Rosalind Kurita
(D-Clarksville), that would increase Tennessee's excise tax on cigarettes by
30 cents, today passed out of the Senate tax subcommittee to the full Senate
Finance, Ways & Means Committee.
"We are one step closer to helping Tennessee's children," said Sen. Kurita.
"We have an opportunity to truly change our kids' health for the better with
passage of this bill. Countless studies have shown that increasing the cost
of cigarettes deters children from smoking, and as a nurse I am all too
familiar with the harmful effects of cigarettes on Tennessee's citizens. I
know my colleagues feel the same way about the health of our children, and I
am hopeful that we can pass this meaningful legislation together."

At 13 cents, Tennessee currently has the seventh lowest cigarette tax in the
country. The bill would increase Tennessee's cigarette tax to 43 cents, the
national average. States that have increased tobacco taxes have all seen
teen smoking rates decline.
"To see the movement and community support we are getting on this bill is
very encouraging," said Sen. Kurita. "I am also pleased that 30 state
legislators have signed on as co-sponsors to the bill calling for a 30-cent
cigarette tax increase. This is a difficult battle that is a long way from
over, but it is a battle that we must win for Tennesseans".