Florida government officials propose lawmakers to increase taxes by $1 per package and are offering a political sweetener in order to try to get it adopted, according to State representative Jim Waldman.

In 2009 lawmakers already introduced a $1 per pack increase in cigarette taxes or an extra cost as supporter called it, as they struggled with budget problems. “The state faced a lot of declines in cigarette smoking and I believe that the additional taxes will decrease tobacco use among youngsters. This is a simple health care bill that aims to keep teens away from smoking,” he said in an interview.

The Republicans who currently dominate Legislature were against the tax increases. Waldman added that he would offset the increased cigarette additional charges by decreasing a series of unpopular fee increases that lawmakers also adopted in 2009. Namely these fee increases lead to drivers to pay more for motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses. Currently it is not know if Waldman can convince lawmakers to back his proposal, which he stated would provide about $900 million per year in extra cigarette taxes. According to the Steve Precourt, a chairman of the House Finance & Tax Committee any bill was proposed by Waldman. He also said that lawmakers do not plan to increase taxes and fees this year.

At present Florida levies $1.34 in taxes on a pack of cigarettes, with $1 of that coming from the 2009 additional charges, according to official data. Money from these charges is directed to a trust fund that helps to pay for health care services and support smokers who want to quit their habit.

Representative for the Richmond, Va.-based Philip Morris USA, David Sutton stated that the company is against of the Waldman’s proposal. He proposed several reasons for opposing taxes that are misleading for adult tobacco consumers. “Increased taxes can support the use of smoking products, which are rather costly to retailers and do not resolve continuous state budget problems. Increased tobacco taxes can help keep young people away from starting to light up as they are more price sensitive than adult smokers,” stated Brenda Olsen, an American Lung Association representative, who works on anti-tobacco issues. She also added that in situation when our economy is struggling, increased costs could greatly help stimulate some present smokers to quit this habit.

By Clark Moore, Staff Writer Copyright © 2011 Hot-Cigs.com All rights reserved.