Bill would raise cigarette prices by $1
Two Democratic legislators plan to introduce a bill Tuesday that would raise the state’s cigarette excise tax by $1 a pack.
A co-sponsor, Sen. William Purcell, D-Scotland, said he is committed to its introduction, even though he knows the odds are slim of getting the bill out of a subcommittee, much less through a Republican-controlled General Assembly.
Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake, is the other sponsor. She could not be reached for comment.
“I’m realistic enough about the tobacco tax to know the difficulty of getting it passed,” Purcell said. “The Republicans have said ‘No new taxes at all,’ but we’re putting it out there as an issue because some constituents and advocacy groups have asked us.”