TAKE ACTION! - DUE Nov. 21, 2025
I support closing the synthetic nicotine TAX loophole!
Dear Chairs Eldridge and Madaro:
As a tobacco prevention advocate, I am writing to you to ask that you support Senate Bill 2020 filed by Senator Keenan and House Bill 3074 filed by Representative Decker, to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.00, bringing it to a more reasonable $4.51, and increase the tax on cigars from 40% of wholesale to 80% of wholesale.
The cigarette tax has not been increased in over 10 years. At that time, Massachusetts had the second-highest cigarette tax in the nation. We have now fallen behind New York, Maryland, DC, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
One of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use is to increase the tax on cigarettes. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth.
I also ask that you support Senate Bill 1949 filed by Senator Cyr and House Bill 3075 filed by Representative Decker. This would close the tax loophole on nicotine products like the nicotine pouch. Products containing nicotine, like nicotine pouches, would be subject to the same excise tax as tobacco products.
The impact of tobacco taxes is strongest on kids and teenagers. An increase on cigarette and cigar taxes and closing the tax loophole on nicotine products will help prevent young people from starting to use these addictive products.
Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Name/Address/Phone/Organization
You can email the sample letter above to our Senator and the House Committee at Anestis.Kalaitzidis@mahouse.gov or JointCommittee.Revenue@malegislature.gov or just click on the button below and copy and paste the sample letter into your email.
To mail a letter via US Postal service, please use these addresses:
The Honorable, James B. Eldridge, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Revenue
24 Beacon St., Room 511-C
Boston, MA 02133
The Honorable, Adrian C. Madaro, House Chair
Joint Committee on Revenue
24 Beacon St., Room 34
Boston, MA 02133
Status of this TFM priority issue
Senator
Julian Cyr and Representative Marjorie C. Decker filed An Act relative
to protecting youth by closing the synthetic nicotine loophole, Senate Bill S.1949 and House Bill H.3075 respectively.
Nicotine
pouches are one of the latest products the tobacco industry is using to
attract new users and keep people, especially young people, addicted to
nicotine.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Revenue on February 27, 2025.
The Joint Committee on Revenue announced a hearing date of September 29, 2025 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM.
