Lawmakers propose cigarette tax hike - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Lawmakers propose cigarette tax hike

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By Tayleigh Davis - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Georgia smokers could see the tax for a pack of smokes spike more than 80 percent.

Georgia lawmakers are considering raising the sales tax on cigarettes from 37 cents to 68 cents per pack.

The 84 percent increase would create another $114 million dollars in revenue for Georgia. The state's cigarette tax has been 37 cents since 2003, when it hiked 12 cents.

The increase would still keep Georgia among the lowest in the country when it comes to cigarette taxes, but consumers are still not happy with the idea.

"It's ridiculous and it's way higher in Florida than it is here, so I come here just to buy the cigarettes and the gas," said customer, Rebecca Beek.

The sales tax in Florida is $1.39. Alabama is 43 cents, and South Carolina stands at 57 cents per pack. Both are lower than Georgia's proposed 68 cents tax.

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