MONTGOMERY, Ala. and AUGUSTA, Maine — State representatives in Alabama and Maine are seeking cigarette tax hikes of $1 per pack and $1.50 per pack respectively, reported tobacco-news.net and Forbes. Alabama State Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) proposed House Bill 457, which would raise the state’s cigarette tax to $1.425 per pack. Todd stated that the tax funds would raise an estimated $230 million a year and primarily benefit Medicaid and the Children First Trust Fund, as well as encourage smokers to quit the habit. “It’s a win-win,” said Todd. If the bill pas ... Jump to full article >>

The cigarette excise tax hike passed by the House is another blow to small local businesses like Hibbert & McGee Wholesalers and other distributors that provide jobs to Vermont residents. But if that’s not bad enough, the increase could actually end up costing Vermont tax revenue as fed-up smokers go out-of-state to buy cigarettes. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the tax hike would increase by $1 the Vermont state excise tax on a pack of cigarettes to $3.24, and would be the fourth cigarette tax increase in five years (a 172 percent increase). Why do my employees and I car ... Jump to full article >>

Alabama’s cigarette tax could be rising again. State Democratic Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham is sponsoring the bill that would raise the tax by $1. The legislation is getting heavy support from two high profile state leaders: Health Officer Don Williamson and Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb. Todd’s bill would raise the total tax to $1.42 per pack, which would be more than Florida and Mississippi taxes. Supporters say the bill would generate revenue for the state during tough economic times and discourage people from smoking. Williamson said about 20 percent of Alabama adults smoke, ... Jump to full article >>

A Chinese-owned tobacco factory will reopen soon after being temporarily closed last month when it ran out of leaf and packaging supplies. The small factory employs just five people and suspended its operation – with four people being laid off for a period. Manager Hong-Moon said the company was waiting for the next shipment of its supplies from overseas. He said the factory produced one box containing 20 packs of cigarette a day and sold them mainly to retail outlets in the capital Tarawa. Hong-Moon said the two main products were King Size (strong) and Snowberg (light) and the cigarette ... Jump to full article >>

A group of Louisiana lawmakers, including Senate President Joel Chaisson, is pushing to boost cigarette taxes by 70 cents per pack, with similar increases for cigars and chewing tobacco. The change would increase the state tax on cigarettes from 36 cents per pack to $1.06. The tax hike will be considered in the upcoming regular session. It faces a tough battle for passage, with significant Republican opposition and Gov. Bobby Jindal threatening a veto if the bill could get the two-thirds vote it needs. Supporters of the proposal — led by Bogalusa Rep. Harold Ritchie — say it would ... Jump to full article >>

A big question on a lot of Statehouse minds right now is: Why would Senate President John Cullerton all of a sudden decide to string out his members yet again on a dollar a pack cigarette tax hike when he surely knows that the House will kill it for the umpteenth time? Cullerton wants to raise money from the cigarette tax so he can kill off the controversial law legalizing video gaming in taverns, clubs and truck stops. Video gaming proceeds are supposed to subsidize part of the state’s massive capital construction plan, but the video gaming program hasn’t got off the ground after ... Jump to full article >>

Cape Town – A cigarette firm has labelled sections of the health department’s proposed amendments to regulations of the sale of cigarettes as “silly”. “What is the intent of the legislation? They’ve amended this legislation, looking to limit the independence of traders to communicate at the point-of-sale,” British American Tobacco regulatory affairs manager Jerry Gilbert told News24. “Small traders won’t be able to sell cigarettes within one metre of anything that might attract kids. The logic seems to be that seeing cigarettes will likely ... Jump to full article >>

Republicans push back on Democratic bid for $1-a-pack increase to pay for statewide construction program. SPRINGFIELD — A Democratic push for a $1-a-pack cigarette tax increase to pay for a statewide construction program ran into Republican opposition Tuesday. Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, plans to roll out the tobacco tax hike Wednesday as a replacement for revenue from a liquor tax increase that’s in limbo following an appellate court decision in January that tossed out the state’s $31 billion construction program on a technicality. Republicans charged Cullerton i ... Jump to full article >>

Georgia smokers could see the tax for a pack of smokes spike more than 80 percent. Georgia lawmakers are considering raising the sales tax on cigarettes from 37 cents to 68 cents per pack. The 84 percent increase would create another $114 million dollars in revenue for Georgia. The state’s cigarette tax has been 37 cents since 2003, when it hiked 12 cents. 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. Critics of the bill (LB436) said the increased tax would cause economic h ... Jump to full article >>

On Friday Britney Spears made a bit of an exciting announcement on Good Morning America. In a short video clip on the TV show the singer revealed that she’ll be travelling to San Francisco next month to tape a special performance of her new song which will then be played on the morning TV show. Yay! She said: “Good morning, America. I am excited to tell you on Tuesday morning, March 29, I will be performing for the first time ever in a special concert in San Francisco’s historic Castro District on ‘Good Morning America.’ ” Yes that all sounds lovely we’re sur ... Jump to full article >>

MANILA, Philippines – The 8% excise tax increase is expected to trim the sales of the country’s leading cigarette manufacturer this year. Chris Nelson, president of PMFTC Inc., told reporters that the tobacco industry may not exceed last year’s record sales due to the higher excise tax that took effect January this year. “Let’s not forget that there was an increase in the excise tax on cigarettes in January and higher prices would understandably affect demand,” Nelson said. “It would be reasonable to assume that demand would be affected but overall, the industry outlo ... Jump to full article >>