Tobacco taxes eyed by states

States consider tobacco tax to balance budgets

Budget shortfalls are pushing more than 20 states to look to tobacco for revenue, even those that have been reluctant to touch cigarette taxes.

In the South, where tobacco taxes have been lower than in the rest of the country, Arkansas has nearly doubled its tax, to $1.15 a pack, and Kentucky’s will double, to 60 cents, on April 1. The rise in price has changed buying habits in Arkansas, where smokers are more likely to buy packs rather than cartons these days.

Increases are also under consideration in other tobacco-growing states like North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. With estimated state budget shortfalls nearing $50 billion, opponents of smoking see an opportunity to make headway with the most reluctant lawmakers.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State refuses to pay dues to high-speed rail commission

ARKANSAS: Senior citizens in Arkansas worried about health bill

FLORIDA: House approves bill that would ease wetlands development

GEORGIA: State gives eminent domain power to pipeline company

KENTUCKY: Western part of state now prime "super cell" tornado zone

LOUISIANA: Racial disparities persist in Louisiana, says new report

MISSISSIPPI: Legislator seeks to add wind-policy to federal flood insurance program

NORTH CAROLINA: Sen. Burr has received campaign fu nding from tobacco companies

SOUTH CAROLINA: State pension plan loses $10 billion

TENNESSEE: Study finds more mentally ill people living in Tenn. nursing homes

VIRGINIA: Full extent of lobbyist-lawmaker interactions unclear in reports

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