Georgia doctors gathered today at the Capitol to encourage Congress to increase the state tax on cigarettes by one dollar per pack. The physicians spoke at the Capitol on Wednesday on behalf of the Bump It Up A Buck campaign. They delivered one thousand petitions to the Governor’s office arguing for the $1 hike. “Tobacco has no redeeming qualities,” said Dr. Harry Heiman of Morehouse Medical School at the press conference. “There is not ... Jump to full article >>

Raleigh, NC — Two North Carolina lawmakers have filed a bill that, if passed, would increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1. Rep. Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake) and Sen. William Purcell (D-Scotland) said the tax could generate about $300 million in new revenue for North Carolina, which is the nation’s top tobacco-producing state. But Purcell told WFMY News 2 money isn’t his main goal. He wants to prevent teens from smoking. If ... Jump to full article >>

Our state lawmakers will soon have to make incredibly difficult decisions to address Florida’s unprecedented budget crisis. In times like these, funding for critical services like health care may face drastic reductions. Important legislation that would close the notorious “Non-Participating Manufacturers loophole” in Florida’s tobacco policy would help remedy our budget shortfall. The 1997 Florida Tobacco Settlement Agre ... Jump to full article >>

THE Federal Government’s indigenous smoking coordinator has hinted that Labor could increase the tobacco excise in the May budget. Tom Calma, who has the job of reducing smoking rates in Aboriginal communities, made the call at the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday. Asked whether he would like to see the government increase the tobacco tax in the upcoming budget, Mr Calma said: “I believe that’s mooted.” But he ... Jump to full article >>

ATLANTA & LINCOLN, Neb. — Lawmakers in both Georgia and Nebraska are mulling cigarette excise tax increases to fund health-care in the states. For Georgia, the proposed increase would raise the state tax 84% from 37 cents to 68 cents per pack, while Nebraska is looking at a whopping 211% increase to $1.99 per pack. Nebraska Sen. Mike Gloor proposed the increase in his state, according to a report in the Lincoln Journal Star. The State ... Jump to full article >>

Proponents estimate it would generate an additional $136 million annually. Smokers say it’s way too much. Health advocates say it’s not nearly enough. The current tax on a pack of 20 smokes is 64 cents. It kicks $63 million into the state treasury each year. Opponents of tobacco use told the panel to go for it and forward the measure to the full Unicameral for debate. They cited the health hazards linked to smoking. On the contrary, say anti ... Jump to full article >>

ATLANTA — A mix of organizations announced Thursday efforts to get lawmakers to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1 as a way to increase state revenues and discourage teens from smoking. This is the fourth year groups like the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association have pushed for the tax hike. This year, they’re getting help from the retiree organization AARP and the Georgia Educators Association, who are seeking ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill to help the state pay long-term health insurance costs for retired workers faces an uncertain fate after the Senate Finance Committee voted the plan down Monday night. Lawmakers have been struggling for over a year to find a way for West Virginia to deal with the $8 billion in long-term retiree health care costs, known as “other post-employment benefits,” or OPEB. The Senate plan, spearheaded by Sen. ... Jump to full article >>

One interesting tax measure presently being tackled by the House Ways and Means Committee chaired by Congressman Hermilando I. Mandanas of Batangas is the excise tax on cigarettes. A number of bills have already been filed to change the existing cigarette excise tax structure, and several groups are supporting this initiative to generate more revenues for the government as well as to discourage smoking. At the same time, opposing legislators fi ... Jump to full article >>

FORT HALL, Idaho — The state Legislature is considering raising its tax on cigarettes by $1.25 per pack, but some lawmakers are trying to extend the tax to reservations as well. The Sho-Ban tribe said the proposal came out of nowhere, and a state-enforced tax would hurt their local revenue. LeeAnn Avila works for the Fort Hall Health Education Department. Her boss, Rebecca Washikie, said that a state-enforced tobacco tax could potentially ... Jump to full article >>