Georgia Public Health Association Executive Director Bob Stolarick is urging GPHA members to speak out in support of increasing the tobacco excise tax to prevent further state budget cuts.

Stolarick says the progress of public health is being threatened by repeated budget cuts. “GPHA has long held that the tax which would benefit the state the most would be an increase in the tobacco excise tax by an additional $1. Such an increase would generate almost $400 million, reduce teen smoking, and improve the health of our state.”

Stolarick is asking all GPHA members to contact state lawmakers to express support for raising the tobacco tax. If you are a member of GPHA, additional resources and fact sheets are available in the members-only area of this website. Click here to log in, and then read the full letter from Stolarick and view the supporting materials.