You may have heard that Pennsylvania legislators and the Governor have agreed to a budget proposal, which is accurate, but the truth is that staff are still working behind the scenes to reach agreements so that legislative leaders can take a proposal to the PA House and Senate. Not all rank-and-file members are happy with the budget proposal and they are still trying to influence their leadership on the final “tweaks” that need to be made.

What still remains in this proposed budget are slashes to tobacco prevention and cessation programs by 50%, and still no excise tax on harmful smokeless tobacco, cigars and other tobacco products. As the only state in the nation that doesn't tax these "other tobacco products," this is a nod to the tobacco lobbyists in Harrisburg and is simply outrageous!

Even if you've sent a message before, please take action NOW, before it's too late! Our state lawmakers need to understand that a majority of the public supports tobacco taxes, especially when effective tobacco prevention and cessation programs are on the chopping block! Tobacco company lobbyists are working overtime against us and our state lawmakers need to hear from you TODAY! Just click here!


To read more about this issue, there is an opinion piece on the OTP here at the Philly Daily News and also a news story here from The Patriot-News