Lawmakers refuse to raise cigarette tax to increase health coverage

Lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee were given a chance this week to provide health care to poor children by raising a tax their constituents want to increase, but they refused.

Two plans to increase the cigarette tax were voted down by the committee. South Carolina has the lowest cigarette tax in the nation at 7 cents per pack.

Raising the tax to 37 cents per pack could generate $100 million per year. That money could be put to good use.

The bills that were rejected would have used the money to augment the state's Medicaid system. Putting the money into Medicaid makes sense. By doing so, the money will bring in more matching federal money. The increased funding would have been used to provide health insurance for the children of more poor and middle-income families.

Another plan that would have been funded would subsidize health insurance for small-business employees. The cost of providing this coverage would have been shared by the employees, the businesses and the state. This would have allowed businesses that can't afford to provide this benefit on their own to offer it to their workers.

But lawmakers weren't willing to increase a tax that polls show voters want raised. Why?

Because they have signed pledges not to support tax increases, and they refuse to support any such increase.

This is the problem with such blanket promises, zero-tolerance policies and other absolutist measures. Usually, those who refuse to raise taxes are looking out for taxpayers and working in the best interests of their constituents. But sometimes, it is reasonable to raise a tax.

This is one of those circumstances. The state has an opportunity to do genuine good by raising this revenue. And if smokers are motivated to smoke less because of the tax, so much the better. If the increased cost of smoking keeps young people from taking up the habit, that's another reason to pass the tax.

There's really no reason not to raise the cigarette tax except for this blind obedience to the no-tax-increase mantra. The full House should take up the matter and bypass the Ways and Means Committee.