Smokers Unlikely To Change If Taxes Hiked
By: Amy Mearkle
Updated: June 10, 2010
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA -- A recommendation to boost Pennsylvania's cigarette tax to help address budget issues does not appear to be changing smokers' habits.
The "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette" reports that the proposal also has prompted some groups to seek a new tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars.
House Democrats are talking about a possible cigarette tax hike of ten-cents a pack.
Now cigarettes cost $1.60 a pack and lawmakers are considering the price increase to boost revenue and balance the state's fiscal year 2010-11 budget.
Legislators are also considering recommendations to tax smokeless tobacco and cigar sales but the tax package might change before a vote on its final version.
(Copyright 2010 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)
