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Act Now!

On February 4, 2009, President Obama signed into law a $32.8 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funded by significant increases in the Federal Excise Taxes (FET) on tobacco. This tax increase was a top priority of the new Administration and Congress, and was signed into law by President Obama his first three weeks in office.

This federal tax is in addition to the tobacco taxes imposed at the state and in many cases at the local level.

This billed passed despite our efforts in Washington D.C. and despite the contributions of people like you who sent over 100,000 communications to their elected officials. We continue to believe that it is unfair to target one small segment of the population, adult tobacco consumers, to shoulder the burden of funding government programs that benefit everyone.

Below are sample letters you can send to your Congressman by filling in the information to the right and clicking the TAKE ACTION button.

Dear (Senator/Congressman) _________________:

Thank you for voting NO on H.R. 2, the $32.8 billion expansion of the SCHIP health program funded by significant increases in the Federal Excise Taxes on tobacco. While there is never a good time to place additional unfair tax burdens on adult tobacco consumers, it really doesn’t make sense during these tough economic times.

I am glad that you are representing my views in Congress because you have demonstrated that you are willing to fight for my interests. Thank you.

Dear (Senator/Congressman) _________________:

It was with great disappointment that I learned of your YES vote on H.R. 2, the $32.8 billion expansion of the SCHIP health program funded by significant increases in the Federal Excise Taxes on tobacco. Targeting one small segment of the population, adult tobacco consumers, to shoulder the burden of programs that benefit everyone is never fair and really doesn’t make sense during these tough economic times.

I hope that you will reconsider your position on future votes as issues like this are of great importance to me. Thank you.

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