Raising cigarette tax will further stress relationship between police, vulnerable communities

Lawmakers in Washington are currently considering doubling the tax on legal, adult sales of cigarettes, and increasing taxes on other adult tobacco products, like dip, by over 1,677%. As a former police captain in the Montgomery County Police Department, I can say without hesitation that increasing taxes on these products will contribute to the already stressed relationship police have with our most vulnerable communities. Maryland’s congressional delegation should oppose this measure.