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Group Supports Cigarette Tax Increase
Smokers may have to pay an extra $1 per pack of cigarettes. The Illinois Coalition Against Tobacco is calling for a $1 tax increase on tobacco products.

The group has released a survey that shows 74 percent of the voting public favors a cigarette tax increase. Kevin O'Flaherty, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says the proposed increase could generate nearly $300 million. He says more importantly, however, the tax could save around 50,000 lives. The higher cost of cigarettes would encourage more people to quit smoking, according to the coalition. The tax hike would be raised 50 cents each year for two years.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) supports the idea. He says the state is in need of more revenue and if the money from the tax is used for Medicaid, it would be matched by the federal government. The Senate passed S.B. 0044, which would do just that.

State Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) is sponsoring the bill in the House. It is being held in committee, but Yarbrough hopes to pass the bill this spring.

The current tax on cigarettes in Illinois is 98 cents per pack. Illinois ranks No. 32 in the nation for cigarette tax, according to the coalition.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 16 10 by Newsroom
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