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 >>

ALBANY — The state’s top tax collector said the state is ready to quickly end tax-free cigarette sales by Indian retailers to non-Indian customers. New York State is awaiting a ruling from a federal appeals court on the long-simmering tobacco tax issue, said Thomas Mattox, who was confirmed Tuesday by the State Senate to the tax commissioner’s post. “We’re prepared to enforce immediately,” Mattox said after b ... 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 >>

No one needs to apologize for pointing out the grave health dangers of smoking, or for trying to persuade loved ones never to take up that awful habit. But the Obama administration is trying to have it both ways with the tobacco industry. On one hand, it wants the billions of dollars in revenue produced by a $1-per-pack federal tax on cigarettes. That tax funds a children’s health insurance program. But on the other hand, the Justice Departmen ... 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 >>

DANVILLE — Every package of cigarettes sold in Illinois adds money to the state’s school fund. Illinois tags a 98-cent tax on every package of cigarettes sold in the state, collecting an estimated $560 million during fiscal year 2010. The tax stands almost as a twin to Indiana’s cigarette tax — which is 99.5 cents per pack. Illinois’ tax rate ranks 32nd nationally, with Indiana’s rate coming in at number 33. Some members of the Illin ... 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 >>

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Relationships among Idaho’s five recognized Indian tribes and descendants of white settlers who settled the state are once again the focus at the 2011 Legislature, with Republican lawmakers starting a push to tax cigarettes sold on Indian reservations — over tribal objections. House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale, said Wednesday his bill will help prevent Idaho residents from traveling to reservations just to g ... Jump to full article >>

MANILA, Philippines – Thailand has filed for partial appeal on Tuesday over the WTO panel ruling which found the country guilty of violating customs valuation agreement and transparency rules by charging Philippine cigarettes higher taxes its locally manufactured cigarettes and was ordered to conform with the rules of the multilateral trading body. Philippine Ambassador to Geneva/WTO Ambassador Manuel AJ Teehankee in an email message said that ... Jump to full article >>

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A funding gap for public retiree health care is prompting West Virginia lawmakers to consider raising tobacco taxes and capping retiree subsidies. A Senate bill introduced Monday also aims to ease concerns that prompted county school boards to sue unsuccessfully over retiree costs last year. The measure focuses on other post-employment benefits, or OPEB. West Virginia estimates it lacks nearly $7 billion of what it̵ ... Jump to full article >>