Georgia lawmakers have been trying for years to raise the state’s cigarette tax, with recent federal cuts sparking renewed interest. State Rep. Michelle Au has sought to form a study committee on this issue for five years, and now the Republican-led House has agreed to meet.

The House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking recently held its first session, hearing from health advocates who emphasized the dangers of smoking and the benefits of increasing the cigarette tax.

Cigarettes contain over 7,000 harmful chemicals, and smoking leads to significant health problems, including various cancers and heart disease. Rising healthcare costs are a significant burden, with Georgia spending about $850 million annually on Medicaid for smoking-related illnesses, while the cigarette tax brings in only about $115 million. Currently, Georgia’s tax is one of the lowest in the country, and increasing it could generate $400 to $500 million.

Although mostly Republican lawmakers oppose tax hikes, some Republicans support raising the cigarette tax to help cover healthcare costs. Au notes that recent federal budget cuts may be shifting some attitudes toward tax increases. Additionally, Georgia’s Tobacco Use Prevention Program was recently eliminated due to funding cuts, impacting efforts to help people quit smoking.