Vermont’s anti-tobacco groups are pushing for an increase in the state’s cigarette tax.
Representatives of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont joined with officials of the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association and the Vermont Low Income Advocacy Council in the push to increase taxes per pack by $1 to $3.24.
They hope doing so will stave off Governor Peter Shumlin’s proposed budget cuts.
They argue it would raise more than $10 million in new revenue for state government, drive some smokers to quit and save millions in health care costs.