Montgomery, AL – With the U.S. surgeon general returning to her home state to talk about the dangers of smoking, some legislators are pushing an increase in the state cigarette tax, but they say it doesn't have much chance of passing the Legislature.
Regina Benjamin is scheduled to join the president of the state medical association and the state health officer in Birmingham on Friday to talk about smoking-related illnesses.
The chairman of the Senate's General Fund budget committee, Arthur Orr, said a cigarette tax increase is one option being discussed to soften state budget cuts. Reps. Joe Hubbard and Patricia Todd have introduced cigarette tax hikes in the House. Hubbard said it will be difficult to pass as long as the governor is threatening a veto.
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