Tobacco.org

Senate’s cigarette price hike has smokers fuming  

The state Senate's move to raise the cigarette tax by $1-a-pack, making Massachusetts one of the most expensive states to buy cigarettes, has smoker's rights groups puffing mad and health advocates applauding.

"This is a very cowardly way to balance the state's budget on the backs of a vilified minority," said Stephen Helfer, founder of the defunct Cambridge Citizens for Smoker's Rights, and a staunch opponent of increasing the tax. "Smokers are disproportionately more likely to be poor and low-income than well-off."

The $1-a-pack tax was included in a nearly $500 million tax package that the Senate approved yesterday. The Senate also voted to lift the state-mandated minimum price for a pack of cigarettes.

The Senate and House, which also approved a $1-a-pack cigarette tax hike, still need to agree on the tax bill

Jump to full article »