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Tobacco tax hike proposed: Guam voters could ratify proposal at a referendum 

A bill introduced yesterday would allow Guam voters to decide if a tax on cigarettes should increase to $1.50 a pack.

Bill 150, introduced by Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, would increase the local tax on cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products. The current $1 tax on a pack of cigarettes would increase by 50 cents. The current 25-cent tax on a tin of chewing tobacco would increase sixfold to $1.50 a tin.

If the bill becomes law, the new tax would take effect 30 days after it's ratified by Guam voters in a referendum during the 2010 General Election, according to the legislation.

About one out of every three people on Guam smoke cigarettes, giving the island the highest smoking rate in the nation

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