Cigarette tax hike could save thousands of US lives

November 29, 2012 (WLS) -- A 50 cent increase in the U.S. tax on cigarettes could mean three million more nonsmokers and that 200,000 lives would be saved by the year 2085.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, adding a steep tax would either encourage people to quit smoking or prevent nonsmokers from ever starting.

The CBO says cigarette taxes are so effective that people will live longer.

A number of studies have already shown correlations between tobacco prices and a person's likelihood to smoke.

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