March 17, 2025

Florida Legislature 
Florida State Capitol   
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Dear legislator,

On behalf of 20,846 members and supporters of the Council of Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) in Florida, I urge you to support H.B. 785 and S.B. 1418, which would maintain the current tax rate of tobacco harm reduction (THR) products. 

Increasing taxes on THR products would put Floridians at risk and not improve public health.  It would also disproportionately harm low-income earners who are trying to quit smoking.  Inflation is already taking a toll on Americans’ wallets, and the state of Florida should not make it worse by increasing the THR tax rate.

THR products have proven to be highly effective in reducing the number of cigarette smokers in the state of Florida.  From 2018 to 2022, smoking rates among Florida adults aged 18 to 24 years old decreased by 57.4 percent.  Increasing taxes on THR products will deter current smokers from switching to less harmful alternatives.

In addition, increasing taxes on THR products would drive sales to illicit and dangerous black-market alternatives, including unregulated products from China and other foreign countries.  Consumers and dealers will also take steps to avoid increased excise taxes.  Consumers will shop across state lines or online where the tax rates are lower, and dealers will sell illegally in the black market and avoid paying the higher tax rate.

For the above reasons, I ask you to support H.B. 785 and S.B. 1418, which would maintain the current tax rate of THR products in the Sunshine State. 

Sincerely,
Tom Schatz
President, CCAGW