Montanans support cigarette tax increase, poll says

Montanans support a $2-per-pack increase in the state cigarette tax, according to a new poll.

The poll said 77% of survey respondents support such an increase, and 59% “strongly” support it.

Montana’s tax per pack is $1.70, compared to the average $2.05 in the United States, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Federal tax is $1.01 per pack.

The poll was released last month by the Montana Kids vs. Big Tobacco coalition and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Jackie Semmens, American Heart Association’s Montana government relations director, said Montanans want policies that protect communities and “give kids a healthier future.”

“Increasing tobacco and nicotine taxes is one of the clearest ways to improve health and save lives because higher prices reduce tobacco use, especially among young people who are most sensitive to cost,” Semmens said in a statement.

A proposal for such an increase — roughly 185% — would meet headwinds.

Bob Story, with the Montana Taxpayers Association, said such an increase might cause some people to quit.

However, Story said only a small portion of the population smokes, and such a tax would be regressive.

He said Montana already has a high tax on cigarettes, especially compared to neighboring states.

The state tax is 57 cents in Idaho, 60 cents in Wyoming, 44 cents in North Dakota, and $1.53 in South Dakota, according to the Department of Revenue.

Those states also have sales taxes, but Story said smokers could save money buying outside Montana.

“That’s going to be a lot of incentive for people to look for other places to buy their smokes,” Story said.

The poll found support for the cigarette tax increase was high across party lines, from 76% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats and 69% of independents.

It also found Montana voters favor a cigarette tax increase as opposed to some other tax increases.

By comparison, just 22% of respondents want to raise gas taxes, and 24% want to establish a statewide sales tax, according to the poll.

Montana has collected less revenue from cigarette taxes over the years.

It took in nearly $74 million in 2014, and in 2024, collected $49 million, according to the Department of Revenue.

A Department of Revenue report notes the 2003 Montana Legislature increased the tax from 18 cents to 70 cents, and in 2004, voters approved an initiative that pushed the rate to its current level.

The report noted the range of state cigarette taxes runs from 21 cents in parts of Missouri to $7 in parts of Illinois.

The poll also found 70% of respondents agree with ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including 70% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats and 64% of independents.

“These findings show broad support for policies that can reduce tobacco use and keep nicotine products from reaching more young people,” said Heidi Low, regional advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement.

Shawn O’Neal, with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said results for upping the cigarette tax are “not a huge surprise.”

“But one thing that often gets missed is the financial toll tobacco use takes on the state’s healthcare system, including $511 million annually in healthcare costs and $87.2 million in Medicaid costs,” O’Neal said in an email.

O’Neal also said Montana ties Louisiana as the second-highest rate of e-cigarette use in the nation.

“Our kids are getting sucked into addiction well before they have any idea what it could do to them in their adult life,” O’Neal said.

The statewide poll of 628 Montana voters was conducted March 9-16, 2026, by FM3 Research, according to a news release from the groups. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.