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Editor, News-Register:
Big Tobacco costs West Virginia families too much. It is past time we take a stand for the 4,300 West Virginians tobacco will take from us this year. It is up to all of us, including our lawmakers, to help those who want to quit and help protect our kids from Big Tobacco. We can and must do better now.
How do we do that? We call on our state lawmakers to increase the state's cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products. A portion of the new revenue, $16.5 million, should be dedicated to critical tobacco control programs. Both measures are proven to help people who use tobacco quit and to prevent our young people from ever becoming addicted to tobacco products.
How many more families will have to lose a loved one or be financially impacted by tobacco use before we stand up and say enough is enough?
Karen S. Coffield
Moundsville