Tobacco Documents Online

x,Summary Execut_iv Friday, February 14, 1992 AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL * Congress reconvenes Tuesday, February 18. * During the week-long recess, Ways and Means Committee Democrats have been fashioning a Democratic "middle-class tax relief" bill which can be used to counter the President's "economic stimulus" package. Other than repealing the "luxury tax" on boats, ~irplanes, jewelry and furs, changes in excise taxes have not been proposed. .~' -~ , * The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has denied a petition filed by Action on Smoking and Health to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to regulate smoking in the workplace. In dismissing the petition, the court rejected ASH's arguments that OSHA has unreasonably delayed consideration of a possible workplace ETS rule and that OSHA's decision to issue a request for information ~'-,on the overall issue of indoor air quality would cause further unreasonable delay. * The Consumer Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has announced a hearing March 26 on legislation (S. 664) to require that health warnings be included in alcoholic beverage advertisements. IN THE STATES * The South Dakota House of Representatives rejected Governor Mickelson's proposal to increase the cigarette excise tax by 7 cents but agreed to reconsider the measure on February 18. A bill to impose a new excise tax on other tobacco products remains in the House Taxation Committee. * The Virginia Senate Finance Committee on February 12 rejected all proposed increases in the state's cigarette excise tax. The House Finance Committee also failed to report excise tax increases, although the issue may be revisited during floor debate on other tax bills. The Senate Finance Committee approved a measure to allow Arlington and Fairfax Counties to increase local taxes from 5 to 15 cents per pack. continued... 1875 1 Street. Northwest Washington, DC 20006 1-800-424-9876

/ * Two measures introduced in Arizona would allow tax increase proposals to be considered by referendum next November. Senate Concurrent Resolution 1014 would raise the cigarette excise tax by 20 cents and impose a uniform 40-percent tax rate on other tobacco products. The second measure which could be placed on the ballot would exempt tobacco taxes from constitutional spending limits. Revenues from the proposed increase would fund anti-tobacco and health-related programs. • Proponents of a tobacco tax initiative in Colorado have officially filed revised language with the Secretary of State. The proposal as revised still includes a 35-cent cigarette excise tax increase but now also provides for a tax of 28 percent on other tobacco products. In addition, the measure would allow local sales taxes to be imposed on cigarettes, although cigarettes are exempt from the state's retail sales tax. ~ The Kentucky House of Representatives approved legislation raising the minimum age for sale or distribution of tobacco products from 16 to 18 years. The measure, which has been sent to the Senate for consideration, also bans billboard advertising of tobacco products within 500 feet of elementary and secondary schools.