TOBACCOISSUES.COM

Growing community of
over 100,000 stopped
tax increases in
12 states this year!

TobaccoIssues.com was launched in March of 2009 to provide you and a growing community of over 100,000 activists like you with up-to-date information and tools to make your voice heard on policy issues that impact you. Your e-mails, phone calls, and letters to elected officials have made a difference in key states nationwide. Sign up today to stay informed on tobacco-related issues in your state. Working together, we can make a difference.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Legislative Scorecard
• Grower Spotlight
• Retail Spotlight
• Expert Spotlight
• Did You Know

to the states of Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Montana, Nevada, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Washington all of whom defeated tax increase proposals this year. Activists generated over 49,000 communications to elected officials in these states in opposition to proposed tax increases. It's important to stay vigilant - a number of states are still considering tax increases, including Connecticut and Pennsylvania. To see how you can help stop these tax increases, click here.

to the US Congress and President Obama, who shortly after taking office, approved significant increases in the Federal excise tax on tobacco. Click here to see how prices on cigarettes and other tobacco products changed as a result of this new legislation, and click here to see how your senators voted and here to see how your congressman voted.

to the states of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin and the territory of Puerto Rico. These states raised their tobacco taxes this year. Had enough? Let your elected officials know you oppose these tax increases, and don't forget to register to vote.

Did You Register To Vote Yet?

Election day is November 3rd, but the deadline to register to vote in many states is fast approaching. Don't forget to register to vote! Click here to find out when your state's deadline is, get your own voter registration form, find out where to go in your town to cast your vote, and more!

Tobacco Grower Spotlight

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue proposed a $1.00 increase to the state cigarette excise tax in an effort to help fill the state budget deficit. Tobacco grower Pender Sharp speaks out about how this tax increase would hurt his farm. If you are interested in learning more about how to make your voice heard, click here.

Retail Spotlight

Each year, thousands of tobacco retailers speak up and make their views known on tax and other issues that impact their businesses. To hear some recent success stories and learn more about how you can also play an active role in shaping tobacco policies, click here.

Expert Spotlight

Americans for Tax Reform shares a video from "Working Floridians against Cigarette Taxes" opposing the Florida cigarette tax. Click here to see if your legislator has taken Americans for Tax Reform's "Taxpayer Protection Pledge".