Revenue and State Cigarette Tax

Suggested Chart

X axis: State cigarette tax Y axis: One of the tax revenue variables

Size: Percentage of US population

Color: Price of a pack of cigarettes

As illustrated in this scatter plot, the relationship between state cigarette tax and state cigarette tax collections is linear. States with a higher tax generate more revenue from this tax. In 2000, Mississippi had a state cigarette tax and revenue from the state cigarette tax that was similar to several other states. However, by 2008, Mississippi had been left behind. Most state now have a substantially higher state cigarette tax and are generating substantially higher revenue from this tax.

Data Source:

• Orzechowski and Walker (2008). The Tax Burden on Tobacco Historical Compilation Volume 43, 2008. Arlington, Virginia.
• U.S. Census Bureau (2008). Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto.