Secondhand Smoke
Tobacco-control laws in Nevada are weak. There are no meaningful tobacco-control
policies in place at the local level. Nevada has the most restrictive preemption
law in the country. It is frequently referred to as "Super Preemption."
State Tax
Nevada's excise tax is currently at $0.35 per pack. The excise tax in Nevada
has not been raised in over a decade.
State/Local legislative successes 2001-2003
The voters in Nevada passed two anti-smoking, advisory questions on election
day. Nevada voters are now on record saying they want the state to act to
protect children from second-hand smoke in public places and to give local
control back to communities in Nevada.
Several proposals are being heard in the 2003 session to overturn Nevada's
preemption law. The two largest newspapers in Nevada have editorialized
in favor of our position, even though they are typically on the other side
of our issues.
Several excise tax increases have been proposed. $0.35, $0.50, and $0.65
have all been discussed. In a surprise move, during his State of the State
address, Nevada's governor called for a $0.75 per pack excise tax increase.
So far, formal bill draft request have been submitted for $0.65 and $0.75
per pack. We are hopeful that the $0.65 per pack proposal will be increased
to $1.00.
Nevada's treasurer is introducing a Constitutional Amendment mandating that
tobacco dollars cannot be raided to plug anticipated budget deficits. Some
tobacco control advocates, however, do not see this as a victory because
he is seeking to simultaneously securitize tobacco dollars. The treasurer,
a tobacco-control advocate himself, insists it is important to securitize
Nevada's dollars so that the state's Fund for a Healthy Nevada is no longer
conflicted with the seemingly incongruent interests of increasing the amount
of tobacco revenues coming into the state and drastically reducing smoking
rates.
How to get involved in the coalition:
Whom to contact or how to contact?
Kendall Stagg, Acting Executive Director
1325 E. Harmon Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702.798.6877 x. 13
Calendar of upcoming events
April 3 and 4, 2003 -- Statewide conference and lobby days at the capital.
A complete calendar of events is available at our website.
Project Director: Denise Brodsky
Coalition: Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition
Lead Agency: American Cancer Society, Southwest Division
Address: 926 Cloudview Circle (residence)
Reno, 89515
Email: denise.brodsky@cancer.org
Web site: www.tobaccofreenv.com
The links on this page will take you off the SmokeLess
State's Web site. SmokeLess States does not assume responsibility for the
content of other web sites.
