Local doctors back tobacco tax initiative

By CANDACE CHASE

The Daily Inter Lake

Three local doctors stepped up Wednesday to support higher taxes on cigarettes and chewing tobacco.

Initiative 149 to raise tobacco taxes is on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Drs. Christopher Gill, Dennis Winkel and David Habel spoke for a group of more than 30 who signed on as Flathead Physicians for I-149.

"Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease in the United States and in Montana," Gill said.

The Kalispell internist and pediatrician said about 1,400 Montanans die each year from tobacco-related diseases.

"I see the health of too many of our children and families affected by tobacco addiction," Gill said.

The I-149 initiative would increase by $1 the tax on a pack of cigarettes and by 50 cents the tax on an ounce of moist snuff. Supporters estimate the tax would generate about $38 million in new revenue for the state.

Winkel said a similar tax adopted in Washington state resulted in 38,000 smokers kicking the habit.

Supporters expect 6,400 adult Montana smokers will quit if voters adopt I-149.

He also pointed out that 44 percent of the tax dollars raised would improve health care for children, seniors, the disabled and others.

Gill called it a travesty that tobacco companies profit from a product that causes so much suffering and disease in others.

"The only people I see against this are the people making a profit from selling tobacco," he said.

The physicians said the new tax would give people an incentive to quit, provide a disincentive for young people to start and require tobacco users to shoulder more of the burden on the health-care system caused by tobacco.

"I would guess that close to 70 percent of the people in the hospital are suffering from problems related to smoking," Winkel said.

He said many people connect lung cancer to smoking.

But the family practice physician pointed out that throat, mouth, prostate and cervical cancer as well as heart disease and emphysema risks rise with tobacco use.

As a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics, Habel called quitting smoking the greatest thing patients can do to improve their health.

Supporters of I-149 claim the tax would save 2,700 young people from premature, smoking-related death.

According to Gill, 90 percent of long-term smokers start before they turn 18.

"The tobacco companies have a history of marketing to our kids," he said.

Gill pointed to new flavored cigarettes and spit tobacco with exotic names and colorful packaging. Camel now offers flavors called Kauai Kolada with hints of pineapple and coconut and Twista Lime with a citrus tiki taste sensation.

The physicians group supports an aggressive prevention program and cessation services along with the steeper tax.

Winkel said that he recommends patients try some combinations of patches, lozenges, classes and medication to reduce cravings. He said many take several attempts before finally succeeding at giving up tobacco.

"The Summit has an excellent smoking cessation program," he said.

According to statistics presented at the press conference, more than 21 percent of Montana adults smoke and nearly 23 percent of high school students smoke.

Smoking costs Montana $216 million annually in health care expenses. Each household's state and federal tax burden related to smoking problems is estimated at $465.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.