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Higher Mass. Cigarette Tax To Pay For Health Care?

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Feb 6, 2008 1:05 pm US/Eastern

Higher Mass. Cigarette Tax To Pay For Health Care?

BOSTON (WBZ) ―

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Bad news for Massachusetts smokers Wednesday: they could soon be paying more to smoke.

It looks like a quick fix for the state's growing health care costs, could be another big increase in the cigarette tax.

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Bay State's top two legislative leaders are considering raising the cigarette tax as a way to help pay for universal healthcare.

The newspaper reports that the proposal from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids would raise the tax by a dollar a pack, and raise an estimated $152 million.

Both House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi and Senate President Therese Murray told the paper that a tax increase would be discussed as they look for ways to ensure that the universal health insurance initiative succeeds.

However neither of them has yet to endorse the specific proposal to raise the cigarette tax.

To learn more about the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids click here.