EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WGGB) — Taxes on cigarettes could soon be going up in Massachusetts.
Governor Deval Patrick wants to raise the cigarette tax 50 cents from $2.01 to $3.01.
The increase in tax is making bag tobacco and rolling papers popular.
“They can buy their own bags of tobacco and buy the tubes themselves if they put the tobacco in they can save about 50% a cart,” said Jacob Mead, Emporium, East Longmeadow.
The state tax still applies to the bag tobacco.
Another growing trend according to Mead is electronic cigarettes, which are smokeless tobacco.
“Those are about $20, $30 for a starter kit and then refill cartons are about $10 and last people a long long time,” said Mead.
Money raised from this increase in cigarette tax will fund thousands of legal immigrants who are now eligible to join the states subsidized health care program.
The governor’s proposals also includes adding the state’s sales tax to candy and soda.
50 cent increase from 2.01 to 3.01???? Jeez when I calculate that it equals $1 not 50 cents. Guess I need to go back to school!
I thought I was the only one confused. Is this new math? Or is this just Democrats math?
Sad that this powerless group is the source of this political theft. This is a legal substance. When was the last no-smoking ad that you saw. Every one that votes for this should be prosecuted for grand theft.
How about cutting some of the fat off your government paychecks and getting rid of lobbysists. What a wimp with no good ideas. Remember fraud also.
Maybe each taxpayer should now get an allowance. How much more taxes do we have pay. It is time to tax goverment elected officals.
to the confused they type it wrong it is all ready $2.51 tax per pack so $3.01 is only $0.50 the increase
Electronic cigarettes are not smokeless tobacco. The liquid contains a small percentage of nicotine (if the user wants it, nicotine free liquid is also available), propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and food flavorings. These devices were designed to give adult smokers a safer alternative to tobacco smoking. The vapor does not harm bystanders, and has very little odor. I was able to stop smoking virtually overnight because of this product. Yet Boston has banned their use where smoking is banned. Holyoke Mall is about to tell it’s customers that they can’t exhale VAPOR in the parking lot. If you love a smoker, buy them a starter kit. If I was able to quit after 36 years, this just might turn your smoking loved one into a non-smoker too.