Maine has the second lowest cigarette tax rate in New England at $2.00 per pack, falling behind other states like New Hampshire at $1.68. Increasing Maine's cigarette tax by $1.50 would generate over $47 million in additional tax revenue, lower the youth smoking rate by 15.7%, and save Maine businesses and taxpayers millions due to reduced healthcare costs from fewer smokers.

1. Maine’s Tobacco Tax is Falling Behind
Maine's cigarette tax is the second lowest in New England
A high cigarette tax, that is raised periodically, raises revenue, induces adults to
quit smoking and helps keep Maine kids from starting to smoke.
Current excise tax rates on
a pack of cigarettes
in New England
$2.00
$2.62
$1.68
Maine’s Benefits of Raising the
Cigarette Tax
Increasing the tax on cigarettes by $1.50
$2.51 would lower the youth smoking rate by
15.7% and keep 11,800 kids from becoming
smokers.
$3.40
Raising the Cigarette tax by $1.50 would
generate $47.4 million in additional excise
$3.50 tax revenue, save Maine businesses $16
million in lost productivity costs, afford
Maine $436.9 million in long-term health
savings.
Raising the cigarette tax would make Maine
healthier and more prosperous.
Prepared by the Maine Public Health Association