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Utah House OKs bill to increase tobacco tax by $1  

Jump to full article: Associated Press (AP), 2010-03-03
Author: JOSEPH FREEMAN

Intro:

The tax on a pack of cigarettes would increase by about $1 under a bill passed by the Utah House.

The proposal by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, would up the tobacco tax from 69.5 cents a pack to roughly $1.70. The average state tobacco tax is $1.34 per pack, according to the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative.

Lawmakers on Tuesday voted 39-35 to send House Bill 196 to the Senate. A similar bill that nearly triples the tax was voted down in a Senate committee recently but could come back.

Gov. Gary Herbert has said he opposes any tax increases, but hasn't promised to veto any.

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