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Joint Revenue Committee reviews proposal to raise cigarette tax and close synthetic nicotine loophole
Summary
The Joint Committee on Revenue heard competing testimony on bills to raise the cigarette excise by $1 and to tax synthetic nicotine pouches, with public-health groups urging the increases and retailers and wholesalers warning of cross‑border sales and illicit markets.
Senator Keenan, sponsor of S.2020, told the Joint Committee on Revenue that S.2020 "is an act protecting youth from nicotine addiction by increasing the tax on cigarettes." The bill would raise the state cigarette excise by $1 per pack, to $4.51, and supporters said it would help discourage youth smoking and fund public-health work.
Public-health groups emphasized health and economic costs. "Raising tobacco taxes is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce smoking, especially among youth," said Chris Feeney of the American Heart Association. Mark Heimovitz of the American Cancer Society estimated smoking's annual costs and urged the committee to update excise definitions to include…
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