OOA Supports Tobacco Tax In Budget

The OOA signed-on to a letter supporting an increase in tobacco control funding by closing the Other Tobacco Products (OTP) tax loophole; the provision, however, was not included in the Senate-passed version of the Governor's budget.

While the CDC recommends Ohio spend at least $147 million on comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation, the budget has just $1.5 million for each of the next two years.

The letter pointed out that OTPs—like little cigars, dip, Snus, etc.—are taxed at a much lower rate in Ohio than cigarettes.  Supporting organizations argued by equalizing the OTP tax with that of cigarettes, Ohio can reduce tobacco use rates among the state’s youth and fund proven tobacco programs.