Hiking Tobacco Taxes Will Help Tame America's Most Enduring Epidemic

As the nation staggers through the COVID-19 pandemic, most remain oblivious to the epidemics that plagued Americans’ health before COVID struck—and will continue to do so after it subsides. These include the opioid crisis, obesity and the continuing toll from tobacco use. Among these, reducing the nation’s persistent, deadly addiction to tobacco holds the most promise for broadly improving public health, protecting young people from harm and reducing health care costs. That’s why Democratic tax-writers in the House are right to propose doubling federal tobacco taxes to help pay for part of President Biden’s planned expansion of social programs. Higher tobacco taxes will raise revenue, reduce tobacco use and save billions in health care costs, while helping to finance the administration’s proposed strengthening of the health care safety net. Read my view @ CNN Opinion.