title: Tobacco Taxes in the Southeastern US States: Views from Former Legislators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examine influences on southeastern state legislators' actions related to tobacco tax increases.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2014, we interviewed 26 former state legislators in southeastern states via phone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Themes regarding factors impeding increasing tobacco taxes included: tobacco's legacy in the South, protecting vulnerable populations from increased cigarette costs, concern about economic impact, opposing "sin" taxes, concern about impact on reelection, and perceptions that constituents oppose all taxes. The major theme in support of increasing tobacco taxes was health concern. Prior attempts at passing legislation resulted in political leveraging, deal-making, or compromising.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Legislators' misperceptions of constituent opposition and impact on economy, among other impediments to increased tobacco taxes, must be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Emory Centers for Training and Technical Assistance, Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.affiliation: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Washington DC.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barkley
authors.affiliation: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Sherell Brown
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kegler
keywords: alternative tobacco products; public health policy; tobacco control; tobacco taxation