Campaign for Reduction in Tobacco Use Among Children Gains Popular Support

The Campaign for Tobacco-free kids has recently announced that the senate finance committee will be increasing the federal cigarette tax by 61 cents in order to curb the incidence of smoking among children. This was based on a study that showed a decrease in cigarette consumption for every increase of 10% in cigarette price. All extra proceeds will be forwarded to the State Children's Insurance Program.

It is perceived by almost everybody that the proposed legislation is for the benefit of everybody and is a generally good idea. This proposed tax will help fund the health care of uninsured children plus creating a healthier lifestyle for a portion of the population even if forcefully done, plus it has the popular support of a major part of the voters.

The higher tobacco tax was proposed because of the very compelling statistics showing that almost 1.9 million kids can be prevented from smoking and also 1.2 million adults smokers quitting because of the higher price that this will entail them. Not to mention the outstanding savings amount that this will provide in health care savings, according to Campaign for Tobacco free kids . Tobacco related deaths in the US are estimated to be around 400,000.

Tobacco is also known for causing Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is a disease characterized by the reduction of the respiratory capacity with symptoms of shortness of breath, wheezing, and persistent cough, damage to the lungs, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Sufferers have a higher risk of developing COPD.