Apr 18, 2008 1:36 pm US/Eastern
Do You Know Who's Behind Anti-Cigarette Tax Push?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Do you know who's behind the campaign to stop the cigarette tax hike in Massachusetts?
Signs across the state are urging smokers to call a number for information and it's not an anti-tax grass roots campaign.
WBZ called the number on the ads to find the source.
It turns out the sign and the hotline are courtesy of cigarette giant Phillip Morris.
The message begins with this warning:
"If passed, adult smokers in Massachusetts would pay $2.51 per pack in state excises taxes. This is a 66 percent increase."
But calling the hotline is more than just getting information. After asking for your zip code, it connects you to your state representative's office on Beacon Hill.
It also tells you what to say to them. Here's a sample of the message:
"When you speak to your legislator's office you may want to tell them: 'Raising the state cigarette tax won't solve budget issues related to the rising cost of government services. We need solutions, not higher taxes.'"
Just how successful the campaign will be remains to be seen.
But smokers we talked to say they plan to call.
So why are lawmakers proposing this new extra excise tax?
A dollar per pack is a lot, but the idea is to have the money help fund the new health care program and the extra money could really add up for a state in a budget crisis.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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