Tobacco.org

Mass. lawmakers, advocates seek to increase tax on certain tobacco products 

Lawmakers and advocates are pushing to raise taxes on smokeless tobacco, loose tobacco and small cigars, saying it could net between $10 million and $13 million annually for the state.

Members of the prevention advocacy group Tobacco Free Mass, plus two state lawmakers, held a news conference Wednesday launching an effort to bring the tax on these tobacco products to the same level as cigarette taxes.

Officials say because the tax on other products wasn't raised when the state cigarette tax increased by $1 to $2.51 in July, more teenagers - sensitive to the price - are switching to other tobacco options.

Advocates believe raising the tax will prevent a teen market for chewing tobacco or flavored small cigars, with revenue going toward public health programs.

"What we hope will happen is that kids won't try tobacco in the first place because it's cost-prohibitive,"

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