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Another cigarette tax hike could help Kentucky budget, Gov. Beshear says 

Gov. Steve Beshear suggested Tuesday another hike in the cigarette tax could be part of a solution to solving the state's grim budget outlook and help reduce smoking.

In answering a question about Kentuckians' relative unhealthiness at a breakfast with Louisville business people, Beshear said the state should "continue to look at increasing our cigarette tax."

"No question it makes a lot of difference," he said, referring to the tax's effect on habits. "We have got a lot of teens smoking in this state."

Hard hit by losses in income and sales taxes, the state's revenue is expected to be at least $1.3 billion short of expenses over the next two years, Beshear said at the event, which was sponsored by Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce.

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