Tobacco Tax Equity Repackaged and Reintroduced

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On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Representative Robin Kelly (Illinois) introduced the "CARE for Moms Act," which includes the harmful tobacco tax parity provisions that the Premium Cigar Association has routinely opposed as a crippling tax on small business retailers. Representative Kelly previously introduced the MOMMA's Act, which included these tax provisions as a funding mechanism for maternal health programs.



"Routinely, the Illinois Congressional delegation with Rep. Kelly in the House and Senator Durbin in the Senate keep inserting these outlandish tax measures in a variety of pieces of legislation. At the end of the day, this tobacco tax equity bill hikes all tobacco product taxes and puts premium cigars and pipe tobacco at the same rate. We fundamentally oppose any of these attempts," says Premium Cigar Association's executive director Scott Pearce.



"This bill is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Maternal health is an important issue that needs to be addressed, but this bill, like the other iterations of the legislation, punitively targets retailers, manufacturers, and consumers of tobacco products, including premium cigars," says Joshua Habursky, deputy executive director and head of Government Affairs at the Premium Cigar Association.



The Premium Cigar Association encourages retailers, manufacturers, and consumers to oppose this legislation and send a letter to the House of Representatives today!