I've lost count but I bet they'll never raise the cigarette taxes high enough to price tobacco growers out of production. The money has become a crutch for the Left and all their dear social programs.
Cigarette excise tax increases will increase this year in New York (increased to $1.50 per pack, effective April 3); Connecticut ($1.11, effective April 3); Utah (69.5 cents, effective July 1); Maryland ($1.00, effective July 1); and Nebraska (66 cents, effective October 1). As of January 1, 2002, six states already had taxes of $1 or more per pack. They were: Washington ($1.425); New York ($1.11); Alaska ($1.00); Hawaii ($1.00); Maine ($1.00); and Rhode Island ($1.00). The current national average for state cigarette excise tax is 48.2 cents per pack, up from 44.6 cents in 2001.
In a number of states, legislatures are still in session and continue to consider tobacco tax hikes. Seven states are debating increases that would put their tobacco taxes above $1 per pack. Those states are: California (proposed increase to $1.52); Hawaii ($2.00); Massachusetts ($1.26); Minnesota ($1.08);New Jersey ($1.30); Rhode Island ($1.27) and Vermont ($1.11).
Other states are considering tax increases that are significant but would not yet push them beyond the $1 mark.