A coalition of 30 health and other groups, including the Mayo Clinic and HealthPartners, support the tax hikes. They say increasing prices by at least $1.50 per pack would save more than 25,000 lives and about $1.65 billion in long-term tobacco-related health costs to the state. Michael Bromelkamp, a CPA and principal with Olsen Thielen in St. Paul, told the House Taxes Committee that Minnesota employers lose nearly $3,400 for every employee who smokes because of higher health care costs, missed work and lower productivity.
Tags: Alcohol and Tobacco, Government Relations, health care costs, HealthPartners, House Taxes Committee, Mayo Clinic, Michael Bromelkamp, Olsen Thielen, Star Tribune, tax hike