Baseball star's death holds a lesson for Pa. budget writers: Editorial

PennLive Editorial Board By PennLive Editorial Board The Patriot-News
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on June 18, 2014 at 1:01 PM, updated June 18, 2014 at 1:13 PM
All the same powerful reasons that have led states to charge significant taxes on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco apply to cigars, as well.

What does the recent death of a Hall-of-Fame baseball star from San Diego have to do with work on Pennsylvania's state budget?

The connection, in two words: smokeless tobacco.

Tony Gwynn.jpgHall of Fame baseball star Tony Gwynn died of oral cancer after using smokeless tobacco for many years.  

Perennial all-star and batting champion Tony Gwynn believed that using smokeless tobacco (aka "chew" or "dip") during his playing career is what caused the oral cancer that finally killed him at age 54.

Even though smokeless tobacco is well-known to cause cancer, especially in and around the mouth, it is becoming more popular. In part, that's because people can use it to get a nicotine fix in places where smoking is banned.

Pennsylvania actually encourages smokeless tobacco users to indulge in their deadly habit. We are the only state that does not tax this form of tobacco.

The other 49 states realize that taxing smokeless tobacco is a two-fer:

It discourages people from using it, especially teens, who are more price-sensitive than adults. Stopping teens from starting to dip or chew is hugely important, because once they begin using the horribly addictive product, it is very difficult to quit in time to prevent life-threatening consequences.

Taxing smokeless products also helps offset the increased medical costs the state has to pay when the users who get cancer or other diseases have state medical coverage.

So, as Pennsylvania lawmakers grapple with a state budget gap of more than $1 billion, they have one easy way to begin filling the financial hole. Depending on the rate, taxing smokeless tobacco would bring in about $35 million.

That's no magic fiscal cure, but it's a down payment that will improve Pennsylvania's financial and physical health.

While they're at it, the budget-writers should also end the free ride that Pennsylvania gives to another tobacco product, cigars. We are one of only two states that does not tax them.


With cigars, though, there is one added wrinkle. As PennLive has reported, "Tax-free cigars helped Pennsylvania build a niche in the cigar-distribution business and so taxing this product could drive to the Sunshine State." (Florida is the other state that doesn't tax them.)

As before, the cigar lobby will surely complain loud and long about eliminating the state's favorable treatment of its product.

But, really, what they're saying is this:

Pennsylvania is so desperate for jobs that the state should hand out favors to a business that's based on selling a product known to cause cancer.

If that's the standard, maybe we should try to revitalize the asbestos industry here in Pennsylvania.