Tobacco.org

RI lawmakers weigh largest cigarette tax in nation  

Lighting up a smoke could soon become more expensive if lawmakers in cash-strapped Rhode Island raise the state cigarette tax by $1, making it the highest in the country.

House lawmakers planned to vote Wednesday afternoon on a bill raising the state's cigarette tax to $3.46 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, a tax hike intended to help close a massive budget state budget deficit but one that retailers fear will wreck sales amid a deep recession.

If adopted, Rhode Island's cigarette tax would cost 71 cents more than the current leader, New York. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick raised his state's cigarette tax last year in response to a budget crisis, while similar proposals are pending in Connecticut and Maine.

Jump to full article »