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Senate advances cigarette-tax increase to deter youth smoking after extended debate
Summary
After hours of floor debate over public-health aims and fiscal effects, the Utah Senate approved an amendment raising the per-pack tax and advanced the bill to third reading; supporters cited prevention and revenue, opponents warned of cross-border purchases and program design.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 20 advanced a bill to raise the state excise on cigarettes, approving a floor amendment to increase the levy and sending the measure on for third reading after vigorous debate.
Senators voted to move the second substitute of House Bill 27 forward after adopting an amendment that raised the tax to the equivalent of 25¢ per pack. The Senate roll call on the bill’s third-reading placement was recorded as 27 aye, 2 nay.
Supporters said the price increase and the bill’s prevention funding would cut youth…
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