Poll: Large Majority of New Yorkers Support Taxing Nicotine Pouches – Support Among Voters Is Broad and Bipartisan
Albany, NY – By a 2-to-1 margin, New Yorkers across the political and geographic spectrum support taxing nicotine pouches at the same rate as the state taxes other smokeless tobacco products. Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York Legislature included the tax proposal for nicotine pouches in their Executive and “one-house” budget bills released earlier this month.
Poll results show that New York voters favor taxing nicotine pouches by a 64% to 25% margin. In addition, voters overwhelmingly (68% to 24%) are concerned about increasing use of nicotine pouch products, like Zyn, by young people.
The poll was conducted by Siena Research Institute on behalf of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Siena surveyed 804 registered New York voters to gauge public support for the proposed tax. The survey was conducted March 23-26 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.2%.
“New Yorkers are very concerned about the increasing use of nicotine pouches by young people, and on a broad, bipartisan basis, they support taxing these products like other tobacco products,” said Kevin O’Flaherty, Associate Vice-President, State and Local Advocacy, for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Increasing taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective strategies to reduce use, especially by young people. Given the strong public support and critical need to protect young people from a lifetime of addiction, the Governor and Legislature must include this alternative nicotine product tax in the final state budget.”
Governor Hochul and state lawmakers have proposed budgets that would extend the existing tobacco product excise tax to include alternative nicotine products, including nicotine pouches. These would be taxed at 75% of the wholesale price consistent with other tobacco products. This measure closes a loophole that allows these products to be sold cheaply, making them more appealing and accessible to young people. Revenue generated from the tax would support healthcare programs including those that provide smoking cessation counseling and medications.
“New Yorkers overwhelmingly are concerned about the increasing use of nicotine pouches, like Zyn, by young people in their community. And with virtually no partisan deviation, close to two[1]thirds support taxing nicotine pouches at the same rate as other smokeless tobacco products,” said Dr. Don Levy, Executive Director of the Siena Research Institute.
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