Highlights
- A new statewide poll finds 77% of Montana voters support a $2-per-pack cigarette tax increase, with 59% saying they strongly support the measure.
- Support for the cigarette tax increase is bipartisan, drawing backing from 76% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats, and 69% of Independents.
- 70% of Montana voters support ending the sale of flavored tobacco products — a policy seen as critical to preventing youth addiction, with similar cross-party support.
- Montana’s youth e-cigarette use rate of 17% among high school students significantly exceeds the national average of 7%, underscoring the urgency of the proposed policies.
- Cigarette use claims approximately 1,600 Montana lives each year.
Press Release
Montana voters across parties support cigarette tax increase to prevent addiction and save lives
New poll shows strong backing for proven policies that reduce tobacco use and protect kids’ health
HELENA, Mont., June 19, 2026 — Cigarette use continues to take a heavy toll in Montana, claiming about 1,600 lives each year. Against this backdrop, a new statewide poll finds broad support across political parties for proven policies that can prevent tobacco use and save lives.
The poll shows 77% of Montana voters support a $2-per-pack cigarette tax increase and 70% support ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. The poll was released Friday by the Montana Kids vs. Big Tobacco coalition and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (TFK).
Among the findings, 59% of voters said they strongly support the $2-per-pack cigarette tax increase.
“Montanans want policies that protect their communities and give kids a healthier future,” said Jackie Semmens, American Heart Association’s Montana government relations director, based in Helena. “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”
Taxes on cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other nicotine products were the only options strongly favored by a majority of Montana voters. Overall, 77% favored a tobacco and nicotine tax increase, compared with 22% support for raising gas taxes and 23% support for establishing a statewide sales tax.
Support for the cigarette tax increase remained high across party lines, earning support from 76% of Republicans, 85% of Democrats and 69% of Independents.
The poll also found 70% support for ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, including support from 70% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats and 64% of Independents.
“These findings show that voters across Montana understand how tobacco companies use flavored products to attract young people and keep them hooked,” said Heidi Low, regional advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Policies like higher tobacco taxes and ending flavored tobacco sales work together to reduce tobacco use and prevent lifelong addiction.”
Recent data underscore the stakes in Montana. About 17% of high school students use e-cigarettes, compared with 7% nationally, and smoking claims about 1,600 lives in the state each year.
The statewide poll of 628 Montana voters was conducted March 9–16, 2026, by FM3 Research. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Full polling details are available here.
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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Poll Results & Press Conference Materials
About Montana Kids versus Big Tobacco
Montana Kids versus Big Tobacco is a coalition of public health, community organizations, school groups and other community groups advocating for stronger tobacco policy and prevention in Montana including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids.
