S.C. considers higher cigarette tax

SOUTH CAROLINA: Cigarette tax bill moves forward in legislature

A bill that would raise the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax to 50 cents is advancing through the legislature, but some - including convenience store owners - believe the added tax will only worsen the state's economic situation.

The bill, by House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, calls for using $139 million generated from the tax to create a new health insurance program that would cover as much as $3,000 of the cost of a health insurance policy for the state's low income workers and the small businesses employing them. However, critics say smokers will buy cigarettes over the Internet or from neighboring states with lower taxes.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Gov. Riley criticized for rejecting part of stimulus funds

ARKANSAS: House to consider repeal of warehouse tax

FLORIDA: Tougher auto emissions bill not likely to pass

GEORGIA: Seat belt bill on pick-up trucks blocked by House panel

KENTUCKY: EPA to crack down on mountaintop removal coal mining

LOUISIANA: Gov. Jindal lobs criticism at Obama during GOP fundraiser

MISSISSIPPI: Feds say petroleum reserve site is safe for environment

NORTH CAROLINA: House panel approves ban on smoking in public

TENNESSEE: Full Senate to consider wine shipment bill

VIRGINIA: Study on uranium mining in the state approved

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