Submitted by: Jenny White

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids estimates that Maryland s tax increases on smokeless tobacco and cheap cigars that began in July will cut the number of teens using those products by one third, according to a University of Maryland law school study being released on October 24.

The tax hike passed in May raises the tax on smokeless and smoking tobacco from 15% of wholesale value to 30%. Meanwhile, the tax rate for non-premium cigars, such as cigarillos, Swisher Sweets and Black & Milds, increases from 15% to 70%.

Although DeMarco, president of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, said raising the cigarette tax was successful in deterring teens from buying cigarettes, they turned to cheaper alternatives like cigarillos or little cigars . As the tax rate for cigars remained at 15%, there was an 11% increase in youth smoking cigars. Non-premium cigars could be bought for as little as 69 cents to $1.50 at convenience stores and gas stations.

In the last 15 years, cigarette smoking amongst teens decreased by 40% in Maryland. After a string of tax increases in that span, there is currently a $2 dollar tax per pack.

On average, the tax hike increased the price of a non-premium cigar by roughly 40 cents and five-packs by roughly $2.00.

When you got to pay, let s say, $8 for a pack of cigarettes and you are a 15-year-old, you hesitate from becoming a pack a day smoker because you just don t have the money, said Peter Hamm, former tobacco user and national communications director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. But, then there are these convenience stores and other outlets where you can buy a single little flavored cigar for a dollar, and every 15- or 16-year-old has a dollar.

The link between chewing tobacco and baseball goes back as far as the sport itself. The image of all-stars and Hall of Famers having large wads of tobacco in their mouths with tins in their back pockets gives teens involved in the sport a dangerous idea.

Many players have seen tobacco use take a toll on their health. Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn had a cancerous growth removed from his cheek in February, which he blames on the use of smokeless tobacco.

Major League Baseball took a historic step this year when its five-year collective bargaining agreement limited the use of smokeless tobacco. Players and coaches can no longer carry tobacco tins or pouches on their body or uniform anytime fans are at the ballpark. They are prohibited from using smokeless tobacco during televised interviews, autograph sessions or team-sponsored appearances. The restrictions do not prevent the players from chewing while they are in the clubhouse or not in the field.

Chewing tobacco is widespread in high school and collegiate baseball as well. In high school ball, 34%-50% of players reported using tobacco, while the most recent NCAA study released in 2006 found that 42% of college players use it.

Anti-tobacco rules are not enforced for every high school baseball team as 51% of coaches who used tobacco allowed their players to use tobacco during practices, said Ted Eaves, a North Carolina researcher familiar with tobacco in baseball. Players are three times more likely to use tobacco if they play on a team where the coach does.

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