In an opinion piece in VTDigger, cardiologist and Larner professor of medicine Prospero Gogo, Jr., M.D., has idea for Vermont lawmakers working to reshape our education system and ease the burden of property taxes: “Why not turn to a revenue source that also improves public health—tobacco taxes?”
Vermont’s cigarette tax hasn’t changed since 2015 and remains at $3.08 per pack. Increasing that tax by $1.50 would offer dual benefits: it would reduce smoking-related illness and death, and generate much-needed revenue for education reform. In the first year alone of a $1.50 tax increase, Vermont would collect an estimated $9.57 million in new revenue—funds that could directly support a better, fairer education system for all our children.