Tobacco.org

50% tobacco tax hike proposed 

Bill 150 would raise the cigarette tax by 50 percent, pushing the current levy from $1 to $1.50 a pack. Tax rates on cigars would be raised from 22 cents to 33 cents a piece. Chewing tobacco, currently taxed at 25 cents a tin, would be levied $1.50 if the bill becomes law.

Guam voters will be asked to ratify the proposed sin tax increases in a referendum that would be held concurrently with the general elections on Nov. 2, 2010. Vice Speaker BJ Cruz filed the bill yesterday in a bid to recharge the campaign to curb smoking on Guam.

“Considering the overwhelming scientific data showing numerous health-related problems associated with tobacco use, an increased tax on tobacco is definitely necessary to prevent people from smoking,” Cruz said.

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