Why Minnesotans Support an Increase in the Price of Tobacco

Minnesotans overwhelmingly support an increase in state tobacco taxes.

·  By a 72 – 28 percent margin, Minnesotans favor an increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes.

·  Those strongly in favor of an increase outnumber those strongly opposed by a two-to-one margin (27 – 13 percent).

More than 7 of 10 Minnesotans say a tax increase is fair.

Support is broad-based.

·  At least two-thirds of every demographic polled (political, ideological, age, race, gender and geographic) support an increase. Even among those earning $35,000 or less per year, support is at 57 percent; at other income levels, support is 74 percent or greater.

·  The major factor impacting support levels for an increase is current and past smoking behavior. Twelve percent of current smokers support an increase; among former smokers, 78 percent support an increase and among those who never have smoked, support reaches 87 percent.

Support is bi-partisan.

·  Republicans have the highest level of support at 78 percent; 69 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of Independents also support an increase.


The cost imposed by smoking on all Minnesotans is a key factor in support for an increase in the tax.

·  Seventy-seven percent of Minnesotans say that smoking and other tobacco use have a significant impact on the cost everyone pays for health; more than one-third (34 percent) say the impact is very significant.

Support for an increase in the state tobacco tax isn’t diminished by the recent federal tax increase.

·  Support for a state increase comes even though a large plurality – 46 percent – was already aware of the recent federal increase (going into effect on 3/31/09).

·  Even among the 55 percent who weren’t aware of the federal increase, when given information about the 62-cent per pack increase, 80 percent said knowledge of the federal increase either made no difference in their opinion or made them more likely to support an increase in the state tax.

“Increase the state tobacco tax” is one of two actions a majority of Minnesotans support for dealing with the current budget deficit.

·  When presented with 11 options to increase taxes or cut spending on specific programs, only increases in tobacco tax and corporate income tax received majority support. Even options to cut spending on traditionally unpopular programs – for example, social services and public assistance programs – were opposed by a majority of Minnesotans as ways to deal with the deficit.

About the Survey

Minneapolis polling firm, Decisions Resources Ltd. conducted the survey through phone interviews with 800 randomly selected residents throughout Minnesota between Feb. 17 and 28, 2009. The non-response rate was 3.7 percent. The results of the study are projectable to all adult Minnesota residents within ± 3.5 percent in 95 out of 100 cases.