WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2014 – A leading anti-tax advocacy group joined the American Vaping Association (AVA) in writing to the Philadelphia City Council today to voice opposition to a proposed tax increase on e-cigarettes and vaping products in Philadelphia. Gregory Conley, President of the AVA, a leading advocate for the benefits of electronic cigarettes, noted that the increase would be imposed on top of a $2-per-pack cigarette tax that went into effect last month. Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, also signed the letter. It reads in part:

“For decades, lawmakers have tried to mitigate smoking and the harm it causes through excise taxes and heavy regulation. However, with e-cigarettes, the free market has provided a solution to a problem that social engineers have not been able to address through stiff government regulations. The imposition of new taxes on these products perpetuates an issue lawmakers have spent so much time trying to eliminate, as studies show that almost all e-cigarette use is by smokers looking to significantly cut back or transition away entirely from their dependence on combustible cigarettes. This e-cigarette tax hike is a shameless cash grab and should be rejected in favor of real reform.”

A full copy of the letter is attached.

